SALISBURY, N.C. – With 10 minutes remaining in regulation and trailing 1-0 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, the No. 5 seed Lander women's soccer team kept on fighting, never gave an inch, and saw themselves with a 2-1 comeback victory over No. 1 seed Catawba at full-time.
Kylie Wilson put herself in perfect position in the 82nd minute, and
Rylee King herself delivered an impeccable free-kick into the box that Wilson headed right into the back of the net to tie it at 1.
Just when it seemed the game was destined for more thrilling action in overtime,
Maddie Leber put that idea to rest when she found herself all alone with 30 seconds left.
Gathering the ball about 25 yards out in the middle of the pitch, Leber ripped an improbably perfect left-footed shot just high enough out of the leaping reach of Catawba's Jenni Dahne in goal.
The Bearcat sideline and fans in attendance erupted with pure elation, and it became set in stone moments later that Lander achieved something it hadn't yet previously – they advanced to the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship next Sunday.
This is win No. 14 on the year for the Blue and Gold who are now 14-3-2 – and it consequently handed Catawba its first loss in their 22nd game (17-1-4).
It was a tight battle throughout between two teams who more than proved they belonged. Lander outshot the hosts by a narrow 7-5 margin, and both sides put three on target. The Bearcats had three corner kicks, the Indians, two.
Catawba got on the board in the 39th minute. The goal was scored by Bree Ehmer and it was her 20th of the season, which is tied for the Division II lead.
Leah Hayes Coen made two early saves in the second half to keep it a one-score affair and picked up her 13th win this season.
Lander is set to face No. 6 seed Lenoir-Rhyne next Sunday. More details about the contest will be shared in the coming days.
