Lady Eagles move into tie for first in SAC standings with 3-2 win over Tusculum

Lady Eagles move into tie for first in SAC standings with 3-2 win over Tusculum

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Carson-Newman women's soccer team held on for a 3-2 victory over South Atlantic Conference rival Tusculum on Wednesday night at Pioneer Field for its seventh straight win.

The Lady Eagles improve to 10-6 on the season and 7-1 in the conference, moving into a tie with Lenoir-Rhyne for first place in the standings. Tusculum falls to 8-7-1 overall and 3-4-1 in SAC play.

C-N held a 21-19 edge in shots for the match, including a 13-10 advantage in shots on goal.

The Lady Eagles took a 1-nil lead into the locker room, as Lizeth Munguia (Wilmington, N.C.) finished off a pass from Trenna Howell (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) in the 34th minute for her first goal of the season.

The Pioneers answered early in the second half on a corner kick with a goal by Amber Marceau in the 48th minute. Michelle Meade and Courtney Turner were credited with assists on the play.

After nearly 30 minutes of scoreless action, Katie Hunter (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) scored what proved to be the match-winner in the 77th minute as she headed in a corner kick from Andrea Saevik (Froystadvaag, Norway).

Senior Morgan Gruenenfelder (Sweetwater, Tenn.) added in insurance goal for C-N in the 82nd from 20 yards out with Hunter providing the assist.

However, the Pioneers wouldn't go quietly. Kourtney Kavic tallied a goal with just 39 seconds remaining to pull Tusculum to within one. The Pioneers then regained possession, and Amber Bradley just missed the equalizer from 10 yards out.

C-N goalkeeper Sarah Tompkins (Franklin, Wis.) collected eight saves in picking up the win, while Tusculum's Rachael Jennings finished with 10 saves on the night.

The Lady Eagles close out the regular season at home on Saturday afternoon against Newberry. Match time is set for 5 p.m. at McCown Field. With a win, C-N can clinch at least a share of the SAC title.