SARASOTA, Fla. - New College of Florida Women's Soccer closed the regular season with a 1-0 loss to No. 21 SCAD on Thursday afternoon at NCF Bayfront Field.
The Mighty Banyans finished the regular season 7-4-3 overall and 2-4-2 in Sun Conference play.
Avaya Wright kept NCF within striking distance throughout the afternoon, recording 16 saves while allowing only one goal against 33 SCAD attempts.
NCF earned the No. 6 seed in the Sun Conference Tournament and will travel to Miami Gardens next Wednesday to face No. 3 seed Florida Memorial in the quarterfinals. The Mighty Banyans and Lions played to a 0-0 draw at NCF Bayfront Field on Oct. 21. Kickoff time will be announced later.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SCAD created the first opportunities of the match, but Wright made saves in the 12th and 19th minutes to keep the game scoreless. The Bees also struck the crossbar in the 19th minute.
NCF generated its first shot on goal in the 37th minute when Chloe Nickell forced a save from SCAD goalkeeper Saga Bryntesson.
SCAD broke through less than a minute later. Lovisa Henell scored off assists from Aleca Garcia Velaza and Indra Njoo at the 37:11 mark to give the Bees a 1-0 advantage.
The Mighty Banyans responded with two more chances before halftime. Nickell put another attempt on target in the 39th minute before Faith Hardy forced a save in the 41st.
Wright continued to hold SCAD scoreless after the break, making nine saves during the second half.
Sarah Benjamin placed an attempt on goal in the 63rd minute before Hardy sent a shot wide in the 72nd.
NCF continued pushing for the equalizer, with Tereza Cerna placing a shot on goal in the 88th minute.
The Mighty Banyans earned a corner kick with four seconds remaining. Yasmim Fialho Melo delivered the ball into the box, and Emma Hunter headed it into the net, but the attempt came just after the final horn and did not count.
THE TURNING POINT
NCF nearly found the opening goal when Nickell placed a shot on target in the 37th minute.
SCAD responded 26 seconds later as Henell scored the match's only goal, giving the Bees an advantage they held for the remainder of the afternoon.
BY THE NUMBERS
16
Saves recorded by Wright.
6
Seed secured by NCF in the Sun Conference Tournament.
5
Shots placed on goal by the Mighty Banyans.
3
Corner kicks earned by NCF, all during the second half.
26
Seconds between Nickell's first shot on goal and SCAD's eventual game-winner.
STAT LEADERS
Shots: Chloe Nickell - 2; Faith Hardy - 2; Sarah Benjamin - 1; Tereza Cerna - 1
Shots on Goal: Chloe Nickell - 2; Faith Hardy - 1; Sarah Benjamin - 1; Tereza Cerna - 1
Goalkeeper: Avaya Wright - 90 minutes, 1 goal allowed, 16 saves
UP NEXT: No. 6 seed NCF will travel to Miami Gardens next Wednesday to face No. 3 seed Florida Memorial in the Sun Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Kickoff time is to be determined.
