Women's Soccer Advances to AAC Final Following 2-1 Triumph

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – For the second-consecutive night, Ken White Field at University Stadium hosted the Reinhardt Eagles against the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs – and in back-to-back contests – the hosts came away victorious after a 2-1 final in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship Semifinals.

The hometown club is now 14-1 overall and has collected 14-straight victories on the year.

"I am so proud of our team," head coach Andy Kaplan said. "We were not sharp tonight and Tennessee Wesleyan was very intense and aggressive. Our team stayed together and found a way to win. I think tonight's experience has taught us a great deal.

"I am confident we will play much better in the championship game."

All of the scoring came in the first half of play, as Jasmine Usher got the home fans on their feet with a score 10 minutes into the action for a 1-0 lead. The advantage was then doubled less than five minutes later when Aryn Parrish found the back of the net to give Reinhardt a 2-0 cushion in the 15^th minute.

Tennessee Wesleyan didn't back down, however, as the visitors earned a tally of their own just about three minutes later on a nice play for a goal. The 2-1 count on the scoreboard would freeze all the way through halftime and the final buzzer as neither team would add tallies to the scoresheet.

The physical matchup would see a total of 24 shots taken and 21 fouls called combined.

Usher would lead the way offensively with four shots (two on-goal), while Caroline Johnson did strong work protecting the net with eight saves in 90 minutes.

On the other side of the field, Tiffany Pace got the loss for the Bulldogs after surrendering both scores and making three stops.

The team now awaits the winner of the Truett McConnell (Ga.)/Montreat (N.C.) matchup, which is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.

If the Bears are victorious, Reinhardt punches its ticket to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship before the AAC Championship Final even begins. 

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For more information on Reinhardt Women's Soccer, please click here.