NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Trevecca Nazarene women's soccer team (3-5-4, 1-3-4 GSC) got a late goal to come up with a key standings point in the Gulf South Conference race on Saturday afternoon. The Trojans were able to steal a draw from the University of Montevallo Falcons (8-3-2, 7-1-2 GSC), and they moved into a tie with long-time rival Union University just two points back of the final GSC playoff spot.
THE SERIES
The draw marks the second time the Trojans have tied the Falcons, and it improves TNU's record in the all-time series to 0-3-2. The tie also snaps a three match skid for the Trojans against Montevallo.
THE MATCH
The Falcons brought one of the top offenses in the GSC to Nashville, and Montevallo struck first. The Falcons brought the ball down the right wing in the ninth minute, and a cross found the foot of Lainey Farabaugh. Farabaugh's first shot was stopped by Ballie Fiore, but the rebound fell right back to Farabaugh who chipped it into the top of the goal to give Montevallo the early 1-0 lead.
Trevecca, though, managed to keep the margin close, despite the pressure that was applied by Montevallo throughout the opening half. Montevallo out-shot Trevecca 12-3, including an 8-0 edge in shots on goal, but seven saves from Fiore kept the Trojans within a single goal at intermission, as the Trojans trailed just 1-0.
Fiore continued to keep TNU in the match in the second half. She made a trio of saves in the period to keep the Trojans within one, and in the 82nd minute, Trevecca capitalized. Kayelee Maners found Peyton Wilkinson who slotted in her second goal of the season, and suddenly, Trevecca was level. The Trojans continued to apply pressure in the final eight minutes, as they fired three more shots in the moments following the goal, but they were unable to find the go ahead tally. On the other end, Fiore had to be sharp once more, as she had to turn away a shot from Farabaugh once more, and the Trojans held on to draw the Falcons and take a crucial point in the GSC standings.
Fiore (3-4-4) made a career-high 11 saves in the match, and Frida Larsson (0-1-2) made three saves for Montevallo in the tilt. Kayelee Maners tallied an assist, and she had a team-best four shots in the match for the Trojans. Cristina Escudero was the only other Trevecca player to register multiple shots in the game. Trevecca registered 11 shots in the match, the first time the Trojans have reached double digits in shots since their win over Spring Hill College (Ala.).
UP NEXT
With four matches left in the GSC season, the Trojans will take a critical trip to the Magnolia state next weekend. The Trojans will take on the Lady Statesmen of Delta State University (3-4-4, 2-2-3 GSC) on Friday, October 24. On Sunday, October 26, the Trojans will battle the Mississippi College Choctaws (4-5-3, 3-2-2 GSC). Both matches will kick off at 1 p.m.
The Choctaws (7th) and Lady Statesmen (8th) currently occupy the final two spots in the upcoming GSC championship tournament. Both of the 2024 matches finished with 1-0 scores in Nashville. The Trojans fell to Delta State, while they defeated Mississippi College.
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