PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Despite a valiant effort and strong defensive performance, the No. 19 John Brown University women's soccer team saw its historic postseason run come to an end in a 1-0 loss to No. 13 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) on Thursday morning (Dec. 5) at the Ashton Brosnaham Park in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships.
The Golden Eagles (16-6-1) battled relentlessly for 90 minutes but were ultimately undone by an 88th-minute goal from Ines Sommer, who finished a cross from Sydney Chura to give the Bees (18-1-2) the decisive edge.
JBU had several opportunities – including a 10-4 shooting advantage in the first half – to strike first but struggled to convert, despite outshooting SCAD in shots on goal, 11-4.
John Brown's defense, led by standout another performance from freshman Marely Fonseca and the back line, held firm for most of the match. Fonseca (12-3-0) recorded three critical saves, and the defense coaxed the Bees into five first-half offsides, blunting the pair of 20-goal scorers from SCAD.
In a tightly contested first half, JBU generated a number of promising chances. Senior Lauren Walter, who took a match-high five shots, forced SCAD goalkeeper Saga Bryntesson into multiple stops, including a header in the 35th minute and another effort in the 88th minute. Despite controlling possession and creating set-piece opportunities, the Golden Eagles couldn't break through the Bees' defensive organization.
SCAD capitalized on the match's last scoring chance in the 88th minute when Chura found Sommer with a precise ball into the box from the left flank on the counter, and the attacker slotted the game-winner into the net from close range as the Bees had numbers on the JBU back line.
The Golden Eagles, left with just over two minutes left were unable to test Saga Bryntesson for a 12th time in the match, as the SCAD keeper recorded 11 saves as the Blue and Gold besieged the Bee goal throughout the match.
The Golden Eagles recorded 19 total shots, with 11 on frame, while the Bees managed 11 total shots and four on goal. JBU also held the edge in corner kicks, 4-1, but was unable to capitalize on its chances.
While the 2024 campaign closes, the effort culminated in the Golden Eagles' first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championships quarterfinal round, and en route included the program's first-ever win over the nation's top team. The squad also captured its fifth-straight Sooner Athletic tournament title and finished as back-to-back SAC regular season champions.
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