ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – For the second time in as many seasons, the Martin Methodist Women's Soccer team punched its ticket to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship quarterfinals in dramatic fashion as Caroline Ladaga converted a free kick in double overtime for a 4-3 victory over Keiser (Fla.) Tuesday afternoon.
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Exactly 364 days after the RedHawks (15-4) rallied for a dramatic one-goal victory to stun Westmont (Calif.) in last year's national tournament Round of 16, the squad delivered a similar result as they shocked the Seahawks (16-3-1) to return to the national quarterfinals.
After a wild second half that saw the No. 7 seed RedHawks squander a 3-1 lead in the final 10 minutes of regulation, it appeared as if the momentum was squarely with the No. 10 seed Seahawks. Neither team was able to muster much offensive firepower in the first overtime and headed to the second extra frame still deadlocked at 3-3.
But halfway through the period, the Seahawks committed a foul roughly six yards on the right side of the penalty box and gave the RedHawks a set piece opportunity.
That's when Ladaga, the sophomore forward from Rio de Janeiro, launched a left-footed blast that whizzed past the Keiser goalkeeper and sent the RedHawks back to the national quarterfinal.
"I honestly do not know if I have words for what just happened," RedHawks head coach Tyson John said. "This match was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. We scored a late goal in the second half that might have been enough, but at the national tournament you can never let your guard down. Keiser did a great job of fighting back and forcing overtime. But to go from that to seeing (Ladaga) connect on such a wonderful free kick and end the match is simply unreal. What a performance."
The RedHawks struck just four minutes into the contest when sophomore forward Katie Reid – who scored the match-winner in the RedHawks Round of 16 win a year ago – tapped home a ball that Keiser goalkeeper Felicia Sedell mishandled.
Ahead 1-0, the RedHawks added a second goal 24 minutes later when Jennifer Munoz fired a shot that Sedell saved, but only just. The senior forward followed up the save with a tap-in of her own to put the RedHawks up 2-0.
Keiser answered just three minutes later, however, to pull within 2-1 when Sara Lundberg corralled a cross into the box from Johanna Engberg and delivered a blast into the left side of the net.
The scoring remained dormant for nearly the next half hour as both teams traded chances, but Martin Methodist finally broke for a third goal when Taylor Samsel raced down a sloppy pass back to the goalkeeper and poked it home for the 3-1 advantage.
Keiser, who defeated the RedHawks 1-0 in last year's national quarterfinal matchup, responded with two goals in quick succession when Engberg and Sofia Kristensson powered home goals to tie the contest at 3-3.
That ultimately set the stage for Ladaga's heroics as the sophomore bagged her 10th goal of the year in dramatic fashion.
"(Ladaga) has been so good on set pieces during her brief career here at Martin Methodist," RedHawks head coach Tyson John. "She was fantastic for us all match long. Not just attacking but also defensively. For her to step up and deliver in a big situation like that is sensational."
Tuesday's win sets up another rematch for the RedHawks as they advanced to meet No. 2 seed Northwestern Ohio. The RedHawks and Racers (19-2-2) met earlier this season, as UNOH claimed a 2-0 victory at the Lindsey Wilson Classic back on Sept. 11.
The Racers, who finished runner-up in last year's tournament, knocked off Saint Ambrose (Iowa), 3-0, in their Round of 16 clash Tuesday.
Kickoff time in Wednesday's showdown is set for 4 p.m. at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Live stats and live video of Wednesday's contest will be available at GoRedHawks.com.
