COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two goals in a 33-second span turned a second-half deficit into a postseason berth for CIU women's soccer Saturday, as the Rams defeated Pikeville 2-1 on Senior Day at Sessions Field.
Reagan Worsley scored the equalizer and
Ellie Tobias followed with the game-winning goal, helping CIU finish the regular season 8-4-5 overall and 7-4-3 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. Pikeville fell to 9-8-2 overall and 6-5-2 in the AAC.
Neither team broke through in the opening half despite combining for 15 shots.
Hailey Resetar made three first-half saves for CIU, stopping attempts from Ruby D'Arcy, Sara Ritter and Ella Smith.
The Rams generated several chances late in the half.
Lohrane Boaventura put a shot on target in the 36th minute, and Tobias forced saves on attempts in the 37th and 41st minutes. Pikeville goalkeeper Claire Cress stopped all four of CIU's shots on goal before halftime, keeping the match scoreless.
CIU continued to look for an opening after the break, recording four shots in the first eight minutes of the second half. Pikeville struck first, however, as Ritter scored at 61:40 to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
The Rams erased the deficit in the 77th minute. Worsley scored at 76:16 to pull CIU even, and Tobias found the net off an assist from
Sydney Thoman at 76:49 to give the Rams a 2-1 advantage.
CIU protected the lead the rest of the way, holding Pikeville without a shot after Ritter's goal. The Rams also continued to create chances, with
Lily Vengelis sending a header high in the 88th minute and
Lily Jackson placing a shot wide in the final minute.
Tobias led CIU with four shots and three on goal, while Boaventura added three shots. Worsley converted her only shot of the match. Resetar finished with four saves in 90 minutes.
The Rams outshot the Bears 14-13, including an 8-4 advantage in the second half, and held a 6-5 edge in shots on goal.
CIU will face Truett McConnell in the AAC Quarterfinals on Nov. 3.
