Beckley, W.Va. – The Concord University women's soccer team defeated Fairmont State (8-8-3) 2-1 in the semifinals of the MEC Tournament, Friday afternoon at the YMCA Paul Cline Complex in Beckley, West Virginia.
In the first half, both teams put pressure on the opposing defenses, but were unsuccessful in finding the back of the net. The Mountain Lions (16-0-3) outshot FSU 7-4 with all seven of their shots being on goal. Fairmont State had an opportunity to score in the 25
th minute when Kiera Kuzinski fired a shot towards the lower corner of the net. However, senior goalkeeper
Leah Marsh made a great diving play to stop the attack and keep the game scoreless.
The best opportunity Concord had in scoring was off a free kick from junior midfielder
Michelle Brogden from 20 yards away that FSU goalkeeper Taylor Kennedy tipped over the crossbar.
In the 58
th minute, a cross into the box deflected off a defender directly to fifth-year midfielder
Yasmin Mosby who put it past the keeper to give the Mountain Lions the lead. The goal was Mosby's 20
th of the season. Fairmont State would go on to tie the game off a header from a free kick in the 71
st minute.
In the 88
th minute, junior forward
Rachel Bell made a pass to junior forward
Courtney Smith. Smith beat her defender and fired a precision shot over the outstretched arms of Kennedy and into the top right corner of the net. The goal was Smith's fourth of the season. Bell was credited with her fourth assist of the fall. Smith's goal would be the deciding factor of the match.
Concord outshot Fairmont State 14-6 in the game. Bell and Smith had three shot each. Marsh finished with three saves.
Concord advances to the MEC Tournament Final where it will face Frostburg State Sunday at 1:00 pm at the YMCA Paul Cline Complex in Beckley, West Virginia.
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