SILOAM SPRINGS -- The No. 6 John Brown University women's soccer team scored a pair of early goals and went into cruise control in a 2-0 defeat of Friends (Kan.) on Thursday (Nov. 18) evening at Alumni Field in the NAIA National Championships Opening Round semifinals.
With the win, the Golden Eagles (18-1-0) advance to the Opening Round finals and will take on the second-seeded Cumberlands (Ky.) on Saturday (Nov. 20) at noon with a chance to advance to its third-ever Final Site in program history. Tickets are already on sale.
The Golden Eagles found the scoreboard first in JBU's quickest goal of the season, as senior Megan Hutto headed her eighth goal of the season off a nice passing play to collect her fourth-game winner of the season. Freshman Renny Buchanan began the play with a long cross from the right flank, and after failed Falcon clear, senior Alair Love returned the volley back into the middle of the box where Hutto was left unmarked for an easy header a quick 1-0 John Brown lead just 3:33 into the match.
Hutto's fourth game-winner of the season sends John Brown WSOC to its third-straight Opening Round finals!!
Posted by John Brown University Athletics on Thursday, November 18, 2021
John Brown doubled its lead off a broken corner kick play that finished with freshman Kaelyn Mole clipping a shot with the outside of her right foot from the top of the box over Friends keeper Maria Smyth to post her second goal of the season. Senior Vanessa Reynoso served the ball in before sophomore Ryan Winingham's attempt to redirect the service with her head was blocked by a Falcon defender, popping the ball out to Mole at the top of the 18.
Boasting a 9-0 shooting advantage in the first half, the Golden Eagles emptied the bench as Dr. Kathleen Paulsen was able to go 10 deep into the reserves.
Friends (11-6-3) nearly pulled within one when Keily Larosee's shot in the box off a corner service was cleared off the line by sophomore Aniyah Gibbs, preserving senior Caitlyn Logan's ninth shutout of the season. Logan made one other save in the second half.
John Brown finished the night with a 16-5 shooting advantage and an 8-2 edge in corner kick chances.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Twitter (@JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and Facebook (/JBUathletics). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
