ROCKFORD, IL - In one of the most balanced games of the NJCAA Division III women's soccer national championship tournament, sixth seeded Union upset third seeded Genesee 2-1. The win moves Union into the semi final game on Friday, November 9 against the number two seed Delta College at 6:30 pm EST.
The game started out at a fast pace by both teams, but remained scoreless through the first 30 minutes of the game. At 30:29 of the first half Genesee got on the board first on a corner kick off the head Miko Yamashito to take a 1-0 lead. Union had a few chances, but none that could find the back of the net and went into halftime down 1-0. In the second half, freshman Lindsay Wielgus (Cranford, NJ) got the Owls on the board at 57:08 to tie the game at one. Just under 15 minutes later at 70:51, sophomore Monica Flores (Elizabeth, NJ) drove a penalty kick past the Genesee goalie into the back of the net , which proved to be the game winner for Union, securing the 2-1 victory.
With the win Union advances to the semi final round of the National Championship tournament and will face the second seeded Delta Pioneers (15-1) The Pioneers are the team that ended Union's season last year knocking them out of the region/district finals in the final four minutes of regulation. Union will be looking to turn the table and end the Pioneers season with a victory. The winner of this match-up will advance to the National Championship Game on Sunday, November 11th.
With the win Union improves their record to 15-1-1.
Photo Credit: Simone Solha