9-17 C-N vs Wingate Highlights
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second straight season, Carson-Newman women's soccer (9-3-4, 7-2-2) will play as host to Wingate (9-3-4, 4-3-4) in the South Atlantic Conference quarterfinals this Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Carson-Newman is the three seed, while Wingate is the six seed. Both teams are ranked in the Southeast region, with the Eagles seventh and the Bulldogs tenth. Five of the last 17 meetings against the Bulldogs have come in postseason play. C-N has won four of those five postseason meetings.
The Eagles earn a quarterfinal home match in the SAC tournament for the fifth time under Simon Duffy. Duffy's teams are 3-1 when hosting in the quarterfinal round.
Last season, the Eagles took down the Bulldogs 2-1 in the SAC quarterfinals at McCown field. Nellie Bryneus scored in the 14th minute to put C-N ahead early. Wingate's Yasmin Cowley responded in the 30th minute with the equalizer. Carson-Newman took advantage of a quality chance in the 64th minute, as Abbie Zander scored off a deflection from a goalie save to give the Eagles the win.
These two teams met earlier this season in Mossy Creek. Wingate entered the match unbeaten and left with their first loss of the season, falling 3-1. Freshman Selina Jud scored the first one on a good cross from junior Abbie Zander to put C-N ahead 1-0 in the 22nd minute.
The Eagles scored their second goal off a deflection as sophomore Sydnee Duncan took advantage to put C-N up 2-0 in the 43rd minute. Duncan scored again in the second half, as Wingate was unable to clear the ball. Chandler Hendrix scored Wingate's lone goal, after her penalty kick was initially saved.
To wrap up the regular season, C-N played to a 1-1 draw with Tusculum on Wednesday. Junior Savannah Fields scored Eagles lone goal in the 5th minute. It was her second goal this season and the earliest goal C-N has scored in 2022.
The second-best offense in the SAC has three different players with a team-high four goals this season, senior Jente Kuper, and sophomores Nellie Bryneus and Sydnee Duncan. Senior Addie Henry and junior Abbie Zander each have a team-high five assists.
In her first collegiate season, freshman Laura Germes has been terrific for C-N. In 15 games played, she has led the team to six clean sheets and has made 42 saves. The Haarlem, Netherlands native has 17 saves over her last four games. She is top five in the SAC in goals against (11) and goals-against average (0.79).
Wingate closed the regular season with a strong 4-1 road win over Coker. On the road this season, the Bulldogs are 2-3-2.
Sascha Larsen leads the team with six goals scored this season. Caroline Peters is another integral offensive piece for the Bulldogs. She is second in the SAC with eight assists.
Goalkeeper Katrine Thisgaard has 42 saves and ranks fourth in the SAC with 0.69 goals against average.
"It doesn't matter at this stage who we play, it's going to be tough regardless," Carson-Newman women's soccer coach Simon Duffy said. "Delighted we get to play another game, especially at McCown field where we have done very well this year. I need to do a good job of reminding the players that it's a win or go home situation."
The Eagles enter the match unbeaten in seven home matches this season. C-N has a home unbeaten streak at thirteen games dating back to last season. Under Duffy, C-N is 24-4-1 against the SAC at home and 5-0 this season.
The winner of this quarterfinal match draws the winner of the No. 2 Catawba and No. 7 Tusculum.
Be certain to follow Carson-Newman athletics on twitter at @cn_eagles for live updates.
The game can be streamed on FloSports with a subscription.
