Lady Tiger soccer team advances to semifinals with 2-0 win over Iowa Western
Bouncing back from its first loss of the season, the No. 5-seed Cowley College women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championships in Enid, OK, with a 2-0 win over No. 4-seed Iowa Western on Tuesday at the Advance Soccer Complex.
With Cowley, Iowa Western, and Tyler Junior College each going 1-1 in the opening round, the Lady Tigers advanced out of Pool D due to goal differential. This marks the second win and the second time the Lady Tigers have advanced to the semifinals of the national tournament in the program's history.
Cowley improves its record to 16-1-4 and will face top-seed Daytona State (18-0) on Thursday at 10 a.m. The winner will advance to play in Saturday's national championship match at 4 p.m.
On Tuesday, Cowley got a first-half goal from Lilian Redeligx to lead 1-0. The goal by Redeligx was only her second of the season. Needing to win by at least two goals to advance, the Lady Tigers got a second goal from Sophie Knaab, her fifth of the season, with 7:47 left to play and held on for the 2-0 victory.
"It was a really exciting moment and the team is proud of what they have accomplished so far," Cowley head coach Roberto dos Santos said. "We had several opportunities, and then finally Sophie (Knaab) was able to finish. Iowa Weston tried to counter to score a goal, but our defense was phenomenal."
Lady Tiger goalkeeper Julia Suelly stopped all three shots she faced while recording her 11th shutout.
Iowa Western had won nine consecutive games and finished the season with a record of 16-2-5.
One game away from playing for a national championship, Cowley will battle a Daytona State squad that has outscored its opponents 89-5 on the season.
"Now we will recover and get ready for Daytona State," dos Santos said. "It will be another challenge, but the girls will be ready."