The No. 3 Southeastern University women’s soccer team may have had a 10 day hiatus, but the Fire showed little rust as they rolled to a 5-0 win over the No. 15 Grace College Lancers at the SEU Soccer Complex. SEU has now won six-straight home-openers. Lakeland Gazette Photos click here
It only took the Fire 2:08 to break down the Lancers’ defensive alignment, as graduate forward Yulie Lopezheaded in a cross from senior forward Uchenna Kanuafter Kanu made a fervent run down the pitch.
“Coach told us before the game we had to get it done early,” shared Lopez. “It was a great start. We were patient up top and that allowed us to get the goals in.”
Kanu found the back of the net herself in the 16th minute, as the Abia, Nigeria native snagged the ball away from a GC defender and dribbled it down the middle of the field for a beautiful finish far post to put SEU ahead 2-0.
The third member of the SEU attack up top netted a goal in the 27th minute. Junior forward Aisha Solorzano blasted a ball played by senior midfielder Bania Duran into the upper left 90 to put the Fire ahead of the Lancers 3-0.
Despite just out-shooting Grace 7-4, Southeastern took its 3-0 advantage into the locker room at the half.
Just 3:19 into the second half, Solorzano notched her second goal of the contest, with a valiant solo effort down the middle finished far post. This marked the fifth multi-goal game of her collegiate career.
Lopez joined Solorzano with her second tally of the contest in the 68th minute, a volley off a short pass from Solorzano that landed top shelf.
“Any time you can put up five goals versus a top-15 team you are happy,” commented Southeastern head coach Randy Belli. “What I’m most happy about is it was done by committee. We created a lot of quality chances and I was really pleased, especially after a long layoff.”
SEU is now 11-6-3 all-time versus NAIA-ranked or receiving votes opponents under Belli’s leadership.
The Fire hit the road next for a match against receiving votes Truett McConnell University on Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m.