MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The No. 22 University of Tennessee Southern women's soccer team's SSAC Championship run came to an end Thursday afternoon as the Firehawks fell 1-0 to No. 21 Life University in the Southern States Athletic Conference Semifinals at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex.
The loss moves UT Southern to 14-4-1 on the season after another successful campaign that included a third-place finish in the SSAC regular-season standings, a national ranking, and a trip to the conference semifinals.
The Firehawks came out aggressively and nearly found the breakthrough in the opening minutes. Mia Saum had an early attempt blocked before Luella Cramer forced a save less than two minutes into the contest. Lily Davies later tested the goalkeeper with a shot on frame as UT Southern searched for an early advantage.
Life gradually settled into the match and began creating opportunities of its own. Freshman goalkeeper Sam De Gier repeatedly answered the challenge, making three first-half saves to keep the match scoreless deep into the opening period.
The Runnin' Eagles found the game's only goal in the 45th minute, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.
UT Southern continued to battle after the break in search of an equalizer. Kamilia Tayebi put a shot on goal in the 58th minute, while the Firehawks earned second-half corner kicks and continued to pressure the Life defense.
The Firehawk defense kept the contest within reach throughout the second half behind another strong performance from De Gier, who added two more saves after halftime. Life finished with a 15-5 advantage in shots, but UT Southern remained within striking distance until the final whistle.
Cramer, Tayebi, and Davies each recorded shots on goal for the Firehawks, while De Gier finished with five saves against one of the conference's top attacking teams.
Despite the result, the Firehawks conclude the SSAC Championship with numerous accomplishments, including a 14-win season, an SSAC Quarterfinal victory, victories over nationally ranked Lindsey Wilson and William Carey, and a 13-match unbeaten streak. UT Southern also spent much of the season among the NAIA's nationally ranked teams and finished the regular season ranked No. 22 in the final NAIA National Selection Committee Poll.
With a 14-4-1 overall record, a strong strength of schedule, victories over nationally ranked opponents, and a Top 25 national ranking, the Firehawks appear well-positioned for an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championship and will now await the official selection announcement.
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