COLUMBUS, Ga. – Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Andrea Fernandez's goal just 22 seconds into the second half was all it took to break a 45-minute scoring drought and help send No. 18 Flagler to a 2-1 victory over the UNC Pembroke soccer team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon at th Walden Soccer Complex.
The Braves (15-5-0, 11-1-0 CC) finish the season as one of the top scoring offensive teams after averaging 22.8 shots per game and 8.6 corner kicks per game. The Saints (16-2-1, 7-2-0 PBC) will rematch with top-seeded and seventh-ranked Columbus State in Sunday's region semifinal round.
| SCORING SUMMARY |
| 46' |
Josefine Nilsen's pass led Andrea Fernandez into the box and the PBC Player of the Year poked a shot into the back of the goal. |
| 56' |
Andrea Fernandez shielded the Braves defense and set up Annie Habeeb who fired off a shot from 30 yards out to the high and right side of Chiara Coppin. |
| 62' |
Ashleigh Harris capitalized on a penalty kick as a result of a Flagler foul inside the box to put UNCP on the board. |
| TOP BRAVES |
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+ Ashleigh Harris netted her fifth goal of the season, but her first since October 9 against King. Harris attempted a team-high four shots, with two of those being on target.
+ Rilee Seering fired off three shots, including one on goal.
+ Seven UNCP players - Alexis Pittman, Rilee Seering, Brianna De Coteau, Kennedy Rucker, Nicole Cook, and Chiara Coppin - played all 90 minutes of the contest.
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| NOTABLES |
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+ Flagler held a slight 12-10 advantage in shots during the contest. The Saints also edge the Braves 7-5 in the shots on goal column.
+ UNCP saw 10 different chances from corner kicks while limiting Flagler to just three.
+ The Saints extended their series unbeaten streak out to eight games, and now lead the all-time series, 8-4-2.
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