KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Royals earned their first point of the NCCAA National Tournament today at a windy Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in a draw with
#4 Asbury University (Ky.). Warner was able to overcome a 2-1 halftime deficit scoring in the 72nd minute (71:49) to earn the tie.
The Royals came out firing scoring the opening goal of the match in the
6th minute (5:30) off a shot from
Shelby Cape, her second of the year. Warner capitalized on a counter attack after stealing the ball in the neutral third and quickly sending the ball out to Cape on the left wing. Cape beat her defender and scored on a shot about 15 yards out on the left side of the box. Asbury was able to counter with their own goals, scoring first in the 20th minute (19:46) off a free kick just outside of the box by Maggie Perry and again in the 26th minute (25:42) on a break away score by Anna Sparks. The Royals were unable to level the score before the end of the half despite a strong response by the Warner offense which created multiple scoring opportunities in the final 20 minutes of the half.
The second half saw a flurry of goal scoring opportunities from both sides as the Royals would go on to take 17 of their 26 shots in the 2nd period of play. Warner would end up out shooting the Eagles 26 to 13 in total shots and shots on goal, 14 to 6 respectively. The Royals finally found the back of the net in the
72nd minute (71:49) on an incredible shot from 25 yards out by
Jessica Alejandre, her 5th goal of the year. Warner would go on to have two more great scoring opportunities before the final whistle, but were unable to capitalize. In net,
Inna Vannula helped the Royals secure the tie with 3 incredible saves over the course of the 2nd half, 2 of which came during 1-on-1 attacks against Eagle strikers in the box.
Due to a win by #1 Bethel University (Ind.) over #5 University of Northwestern earlier in the day, the Royals will not qualify for the National Championship Final on Saturday. The Royals will look to finish the Tournament on a high note with a chance to finish as a top 4 team in the Nation when they face off with the #5 University of Northwestern on Thursday, December 4th.
Team Highlights
Goals: Shelby Cape - 1 (5:30)
Jessica Alejandre - 1 (71:49)
Team Shots: 26 (14 on Goal)
Saves: Inna Vannula - 3
Haley Van Houweling - 1
Pool A Standings:
| Team |
Points |
Record |
Goal Differential |
| #1 Bethel University (Ind.) |
6 |
2-0-0 |
+5 |
| #5 University of Northwestern (Mn.) |
3 |
1-1-0 |
-3 |
| #4 Asbury University (Ky.) |
1 |
0-1-1 |
-1 |
| #8 Warner University |
1 |
0-1-1 |
-1 |
#GodBlessGoRoyals | #TogetherAsOne
