NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (3-1-0) overcame a stormy second half, earning a non-conference win over Trevecca Nazarene (1-2-0), allowing just one shot against the Trojans and earned the decisive goal off the foot of Selina Jud in the 52nd minute to win 1-0.
"Happy we could get the win," head coach Simon Duffy said. "Especially being able to overcome the 2nd half conditions… It was a great goal from Selina [Jud] to help propel us to the win."
Matching up for the first time since 2021, both sides were fighting for the advantage in the all-time series, which was deadlocked at 2-2-2 coming into the match.
C-N had the afternoon's first chance, as Alayna Corbitt (Knoxville, Tenn.) missed just high in the 2nd minute on an opportunity inside the box.
Both teams had chances throughout the rest of the first half, but solid defensive efforts kept the game scoreless.
The Eagles' next opportunity came on a costly Trojan turnover in the 27th minute, as Anita Arnadottir (Alftanes, Iceland) intercepted an errant pass inside the box, but a sliding save from Trevecca's Baile Fiore kept C-N off the board.
C-N tallied a couple of shots in close succession, with Krista Nielsen (Saudarkrokur, Iceland) missing wide in the 28th minute. Savannah Fields (Johnson City, Tenn.) missed just high later in the 28th minute of play, recording the Eagles' fourth shot of the half.
The Eagles outshot the Trojans 4-0 in the first 45 minutes, creating a fair share of opportunities deep in Trevecca's defensive third, but couldn't find the back of the net, keeping the match scoreless at the break.
Despite inclement weather welcoming both teams back to the pitch for the second half, C-N came out aggressive. Selina Jud (Wilderswil, Switzerland) recorded a shot in the 46th minute, missing wide right.
C-N's constant presence deep in the offensive third paid off on Jud's second shot of the half, breaking the scoreless tie on an assist from Krista Nielsen in the 52nd minute. The junior's first goal of the season was crucial, finding the back of the net on C-N's 7th shot of the match.
"We moved the ball a lot better in the second half," Duffy said. "We put constant pressure on the ball after we lost it, leading to quality chances."
The Eagles continued to rack up the chances, with Felicia Frick (Eschen, Liechtenstein), Cameron Giles (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Kendall Garber (Quakertown, PA), and Malia Kim (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) all recording their first shots of the match, growing the Eagles' shot advantage.
Trevecca recorded their first shot of the match in the 63rd minute, looking for the tie but the shot missed wide right off the foot of Taylor Baines.
The Trojans tallied three more shots in the final stretch of the second half but could not find the equalizer as C-N held serve defensively to earn the non-conference victory.
With the win, C-N earns its third-straight win in non-conference play, moving to 3-1-0 on the season. The Eagles kick off SAC play on the road against No. 9 Catawba on Wednesday at 5 PM.
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