ROCHESTER, N.Y. – An impressive performance on a snowy field earned the Roberts Wesleyan University women's soccer team a trip to the Sunshine State.
The Redhawks scored two goals in the first 10 minutes to set the tone in a 6-1 victory over Redeemer University on Tuesday in championship match in the Midwest Region of the National Christian College Athletic Association tournament.
The victory sends Roberts (12-4-1) to the NCCAA National Tournament, which will take place in Kissimmee, Fla., from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3.
"It's pretty cool to win a Regional Championship and we got to do that tonight," Roberts coach Sarah McClellan said. "Our team is really a tight-knit family and we have earned the opportunity to compete in the NCCAA National Tournament.
Six different players scored for Roberts, which earned its first trip to the National Tournament since advancing to the semifinals in 2019.
"We're very excited to continue playing," said sophomore captain Maia LaVigne, who scored her first goal as a Redhawk during the match. "While other teams are ending their seasons, we get to keep playing and go to Florida.
Junior Jessica Savage opened the scoring at the 3:51 mark, sending a feed from Kara Choate into the top right corner from 22 yards out for her third goal of the season.
Freshman Kaeleigh Romero scored her fourth of the season just under six minutes later, converting a cross from Cami Brescia from six yards out.
"We wanted to get off to a fast start and really come out strong," McClellan said.
Redeemer scored in the 26^th minute to cut Roberts' lead in half, but the Redhawks regrouped in the second half to earn the victory.
Justine Sharda's free kick from 30 yards out found LaVigne, who cut in front of the goal and nodded it past the keeper in the 61^st minute.
The Redhawks added three goals in the final 15 minutes. Junior Gabrielle Ciambella drew a penalty in the box and converted the PK with 14:41 remaining, Choate notched her third of the season off an assist by Ciambella with 13:10 left and freshman Courtney Felton broke in alone and scored her third of the season with 6:26 to play.
Junior Nicolette Knauf made three saves in 81 minutes before giving way to Courtney Yencer in goal for Roberts.
"We were very, very confident (after the fast start)," Choate said. "You could tell in the practices leading up to tonight that we really wanted to play."
And play they will.
The Redhawks will travel to Florida after Thanksgiving to compete for the NCCAA championship.
"We just have to work hard," Brescia said. "We don't want our season to end."