Samford wins SoCon Women?s Soccer Championship

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Abriella Argueta scored in the 74th minute to give top-seeded Samford a lead it would not relinquish, as the Bulldogs downed No. 2 seed ETSU 2-1 Sunday at Summers-Taylor Stadium in the title match of the Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Championship. With the win, Samford earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The Bulldogs (15-3-2) will learn their postseason fate on Monday, as the NCAA Selection Show will air on NCAA.com at 4:30 p.m.

Samford, playing in its fourth SoCon title match, clinched its second title overall and first since 2011.

With the score tied at 1, Samford took its only lead of the day in the 74th minute on a beautiful combination. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Anna Allen got the play started in the midfield, lofting a perfectly placed long ball across the field and into the box. Malcanisha Kelley headed it back in front of the goal, and Argueta came flying in seemingly from out of nowhere, crossing in front of ETSU keeper LeaAnn Cutshall to head it home for the eventual game-winner.

The Samford defense buckled down after that, allowing just one shot the rest of the way, a Cecilia Re attempt at the final horn that Bulldog keeper Anna Maddox was able to stop.

ETSU (13-6-2) had the run of play early, as the Bucs got on the board just 2:19 into the contest when Irina Brutsch fired a shot from distance that forced a diving stop from Maddox. Maddox couldn’t wrap up the ball, however, and Isabel Hodgson pounded in the rebound for her third goal in the last two games.

Samford pulled even with just under 10 minutes left in the first half. After Cutshall saved a goal by punching an Ella Baggett shot over the crossbar, the Bulldogs broke through on the ensuing corner kick. Korrie Sauder sent a ball into the box, and SoCon Defender of the Year Olivia Cole headed the ball in front of the goal. Allen was there to poke the ball home, sending the game into the half tied at 1.

Maddox finished with five saves in improving to 14-0-0 on the season. Cutshall dropped to 6-2-1 and made four stops.

The loss was ETSU’s first at home on the season, as the Bucs fell to 11-1-0 on their home turf.

Now winners of 10 straight matches, the Bulldogs outshot the Bucs 13-6 on the day and took eight corner kicks to none for ETSU.

This year’s SoCon title match provided the 11th meeting of the top two seeds, with No. 1 moving to 8-2-1 in those contests. Samford improved to 9-1-1 all-time as the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

SoCon Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team
Carlie Couch, Furman
Rose Hull, Furman
Maddie Clark, Mercer
Jamilah Tejan, Mercer
Isabel Hodgson, ETSU
Cecilia Re, ETSU
Pauline Vienne, ETSU
Anna Allen, Samford
Taylor Meneide, Samford
Virginia McNeill, Samford
Korrie Sauder, Samford

Most Outstanding Player
Anna Allen, Samford

Pinnacle Award (highest cumulative GPA among championship-eligible student-athletes on winning team)
Virginia McNeill, Samford

2016 SoCon Women’s Soccer Championship

Oct. 26 (Wednesday)
First round (at higher seeds)
Match 1: No. 8 VMI 1, No. 9 The Citadel 0 (OT)
Match 2: No. 7 Western Carolina 2, No. 10 Wofford 1 (2OT)

Oct. 29 (Saturday)
Quarterfinal round (at higher seeds)
Match 3: No. 1 Samford 5, No. 8 VMI 0
Match 4: No. 4 Furman 1, No. 5 UNCG 0 (OT)
Match 5: No. 2 ETSU 2, No. 7 Western Carolina 1

Oct. 30 (Sunday)
Quarterfinal round (at higher seeds)
Match 6: No. 3 Mercer 3, No. 6 Chattanooga 0

Nov. 4 (Friday)
Semifinals (Summers-Taylor Stadium; Johnson City, Tenn.)
Match 7: No. 1 Samford 2, No. 4 Furman 1
Match 8: No. 2 ETSU 3, No. 3 Mercer 1

Nov. 6 (Sunday)
Final (Summers-Taylor Stadium; Johnson City, Tenn.)
Match 9: No. 1 Samford 2, No. 2 ETSU 1