CHATTANOOGA, TENN. – Senior
Maddy Gilhool of the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team scored her fifth game-winning goal of the season during the double-overtime SoCon Semifinal game against the top-seeded Chattanooga Mocs on Sunday afternoon at UTC Sports Complex.
With the 2-1 double overtime victory, the Spartans advance to the SoCon Championship match and will face the second-seeded Samford Bulldogs on Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m. EST at Shauna Yelton Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
This will be the first time since 2018 that the Spartans have played in the SoCon Championship and the third time in six years reaching the championship game.
How it Happened:
The Spartans dominated possession the first half, even with the Mocs outshooting UNCG 4-2. In the 13
th minute of the game,
Gabi Santora launched UNCG's first corner kick of the game. Her right-footed inswinger sailed just under the crossbar and found the inside left of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
The intensity continued through the remainder of the first half with the Spartans' goalkeeper Emma Malone making two saves to the Mocs' one. Passion was present entering the second half on both sides and in the 66
th minute of play, Caroline Richvalsky put back a rebound to tie the game at one after a collision inside the six-yard box. UNCG's defense held strong enough to send the game into overtime for the Spartans' first extra time game of the season.
With both teams on edge with no golden goal in effect, the only shot in the first overtime period was the eventual game-winning goal from Gilhool. In the 97
th minute of the match, freshman Ryen Ortiz brought the ball up into the Spartans' offensive third and turned to find Gilhool a few yards off the 18-yard box. Gilhool received the through ball with a defender on her back. She took a touch to create space, then took a right-footed shot that went over the head of the Chattanooga goalkeeper under the crossbar and into the back of the net. The Spartans led 2-1 and would stay ahead through a defensive second overtime, including fighting off five shots by the Mocs in the second overtime frame for the semifinal win.
From Head Coach Michael Coll
"This was a huge win on the road versus the #1 seed in the SoCon. Playing against Chattanooga's best team ever on an artificial surface made us show every weapon we have at our disposal to win and make it to the Championship match next Sunday. We continue to play an attractive and entertaining style and the beautiful winning goal from
Maddy Gilhool after smart link up play with Ryen was a special shot that was very memorable to win any semi final anywhere. Coach McKinney and the Mocs are very good and there wasn't much between the teams so it was gonna take something special like Maddy's strike to separate us. Anybody who has seen us play this year knows that we can beat very strong teams and we will give maximum effort throughout our squad in every game. And now it's on to the SoCon final where we want to be!"
By the Numbers:
- Santora tallied her fourth goal of the season, a new season high.
- Gilhool put in her ninth goal of the season.
- Ortiz got her first assist of the season.
- Chattanooga outshot UNCG, 14-4.
- Chattanooga's Caroline Richvalsky had its lone goal.
- Emma Malone made three saves.
- UNCG is outscoring SoCon opponents 21-8 this season.
Records:
UNCG: 10-7-3, 4-3-2 SoCon
Chattanooga: 8-5-5, 5-1-3 SoCon
Up Next:
The Spartans move on to the 2022 SoCon Championship match in Birmingham, Alabama where they will take on the second-seeded Samford Bulldogs. The match will take place on Sunday, November 6
th at 2 p.m. EST at Shauna Yelton Field.
