MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech women's soccer team cruised to a 3-1 win over Nova Southeastern in the NCAA South Region Championship. The Panthers advance in the NCAA Tournament and will take on Lenoir-Rhyne in the quarterfinal round on Sunday, Dec. 3.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Florida Tech 3, Nova Southeastern 1
Records: Florida Tech (16-2-3, 8-1-1 SSC), Nova Southeastern (12-5-1, 4-3-1 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.
STATS OF THE MATCH
- The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board. Just over two minutes into the match, Marem Ndiongue fielded a pass from Sara Batchadji and proceeded to knock the ball off the post and into the goal to give Tech an early 1-0 advantage.
- The offense continued to pour on the Sharks, and the next four shots were by the Panthers.
- In the 21st minute, NSU got their first shot off with a rocket towards the top left corner, but it was stopped by an outstretched Ayana Aoyagi to preserve Tech's leave.
- Just three minutes later, Aoyagi made another outstanding diving save to keep the Sharks off the board.
- After some back-and-forth for possession, Katherine Cunningham sent a cross into the box and connected with a diving Ndiongue who drilled the ball into the back of the net with a header to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
- In the 52nd minute, Ndiongue broke away from NSU's defense and passed the ball off to Josefine Nilsen. Nilsen deposited her shot past the keeper to make it a 3-0 match.
- The Sharks scored their lone goal of the match in the 66th minute with a long shot from Jordyn Pitter to make it 3-1.
- Both defenses locked in for most of the rest of the match. In the 88th minute, Ndiongue looked to cap the night with a hat trick and sent a bomb in from about 30 yards out, but NSU's keeper was able to knock the ball safely away.
- The clock struck zero and the Panthers rushed the field to claim the program's third Region Championship in program history.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Florida Tech moves to 6-6-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. (Seven for eight in penalty shootouts). The Panthers also move to 10-14-1 all-time against NSU.
- Tonight's win was the third NCAA Regional Championship in program history. It is also the second in three years under head coach Ryan Moon.
- Marem Ndiongue's goal in the third minute of the match set a program record for single-season goals. The senior now has 18 on the season.
- Ayana Aoyagi set a career-high with eight saves on the night.
UP NEXT: The Panthers will host the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Dec. 3. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Rick Stottler Field in Melbourne, Fla.
Courtesy of Florida Tech Athletic Communications