The ETSU women’s soccer team came into the Southern Conference tournament 12-5-2 overall and 6-2-1 in SoCon play, allowing them to secure the No. 2 seed in the tournament to face No.7 seed Western Carolina University.
Western Carolina came into the tournament with a record of 8-12 and 4-5 in Southern Conference play. The last these two met the Bucs won at Western Carolina 3-2.
The Bucs scored the first goal of the match when the senior Molly Collinson (Cramlington, England) scored a goal assisted by sophomore Irina Brutsch (Zurich, Switzerland) and sophomore Eleonora Goldoni (Ferrara, Italy) to give the Bucs a 1-0 lead early in the first half.
The Bucs offense shot 12 shots with six being on goal. The team went into the half leading 1-0.
In the second half, Western Carolina struck first, with Kasey Cooke (Rocky Mount, N.C.) scoring for Western Carolina tying the match at 1-1. Between the two teams, it was a slow-paced game, meaning both defenses were in good position to stop shots.
Western Carolina had nine shots with just five on goal. The one goal Western Carolina made during the match is just the second goal given up at home for the Buccaneers this season.
Both teams were even with saves at four apiece. Not too soon after Western Carolina scored, ETSU sophomore superstar Eleonora Goldoni was able to respond for the Bucs, scoring her 15th goal of the season. With that 15th goal, she is top five in the country in goals.
The Bucs were able to control the game from there on out, winning 2-1. They improve 13-5-1 on the season and this victory marks their 10th win at home. This season, the Bucs are 10-0 at home.
The Bucs will face the winner of the matchup between No. 6 seed Chattanooga and No. 3 seed Mercer. The Bucs will be back in action against the winner on Nov. 6 at home.
This is just the second time in school history that the ETSU women’s soccer team has advanced to the SoCon semi-finals.
