ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – For the first time in program history, the Raven Women's Soccer team will be playing for a NAIA National Tournament Championship as they secured their spot with a 1-0 win over William Carey University on Friday afternoon at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
No. 9 Benedictine (19-2-3) earned their 16th shutout of the season as they knocked our No. 4 William Carey (19-3-0) – the Ravens third straight win over a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference.
After playing through a scoreless draw at the break, it didn't take the Ravens long in the second half to break that draw.
The Crusaders attempted to clear the ball from their back line during the 47th minute, but couldn't. Abbie Hair intercepted the clear and fed Anna Romano when turned and fired in a shot from just out the box between three William Carey defenders and past Crusader keeper Sabrina Lang as is it curved inside the left post.
Before the Ravens were able to end the scoreless draw, their defense stepped up in the first half.
During the 14th minute, William Carey had three shots on goal. Raven keeper Ellen Loughman was able to get to the first two, but the second put her on the ground. Before she could bounce back up, William Carey's Jamie Holifield took the third shot that was blocked over the crossbar on a header of Madison Sanders who laid out to preserve the scoreless draw.
The Ravens controlled the possession for much of the rest of the half, which continued into the second half leading to Romano's game-winning goal.
William Carey finished the match with the advantage in shots, 17-16, but the Ravens held the advantage over the the second half outshooting the Crusaders 9-7.
Loughman finished with seven saves - one off her season high set earlier in the tournament.
Rosie McShane led the Ravens with six shots while Emily Ambuul four with Olivia Meyers added three. Ambuul had the other shot on goal.
To hear a full postgame interview with head coach Lincoln Roblee, check out our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RavenAthletics
The Ravens will face a familiar opponent in the NAIA Championship Match at 3 p.m. Saturday in Spring Arbor (Mich.). The Ravens matched up against Spring Arbor in the 2014 NAIA Tournament where they played to a 1-1 draw before winning the Shootout and then hosted Cougars at the BC Soccer Complex in the 2015 season opener where they earned a 2-1 overtime win.
