Top-Seeded Carson-Newman Women’s Soccer Defeats #4 Catawba, 2-1, To Advance To The 2009 Food Lion SAC Tournament Finals

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The #1 Carson-Newman College Women’s Soccer Team (17-2-1) picked up a 2-1 win over fourth-seeded Catawba (13-5-2) Friday evening in the semifinals of the 2009 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament at Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex. With the victory, the Lady Eagles earn a shot to claim their fourth league tournament title since 2004 Sunday.

After a scoreless first half, Catawba scored the first goal of the match in the 54th minute. Alyssa Retundie (Mooresville, N.C.) received a through ball from Tasha Wilhelm (Mt. Savage, Md.) that she placed in the bottom corner of the net from 12 yards out.

Carson-Newman equalized just after the hour mark (63:23). Sohomore midfielder Sandra Kaelin (Trachslau, SWITZERLAND) settled a pass from junior midfielder Morgan Grunenfelder (Sweetwater, Tenn.) that deflected off of freshman midfielder Andrea Saevik (Bolandet, NORWAY) and placed it in the back of the net.

The Lady Eagles tallied the match-winner with just 8:02 remaining in the match. Sophomore forward Trenna Howell (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) curled a shot that deflected off a defender into the goal for her team-leading 12th score of the season.

Sophomore Lauren MacKenzie (Barrie, Ontario, CANADA) picked up the win in goal for Carson-Newman as she stopped four Lady Indian shots. Lindsay Webster (Hopkinton, Mass.)suffered the loss for Catawba, tallying four saves on the night as well.

C-N advances to the 2009 Food Lion SAC Tournament Finals on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. against Lenoir-Rhyne, which defeated Tusculum, 4-3, on penalty kicks in the other semifinal match up Friday. The match will be played at Manchester Meadows as well.