2024 CAC Women’s Soccer Championships Kick Off Saturday
A NAIA national tournament appearance is on the line as six teams compete for the 2024 Continental Athletic Conference women's soccer championship in a five-day tournament beginning Saturday, November 9, at Georgia Gwinnett College's Grizzly Soccer Complex in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
First-round matches feature No. 4 seed Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) against No. 5 seed Talladega College (Alabama) on Saturday at 11 a.m. That will be followed by No. 3 seed University of Jamestown (North Dakota) playing No. 6 seed Carolina University (North Carolina) at 2 p.m.
Top-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College and No. 2 seed Bellevue University (Nebraska) received first-round byes to semifinal matches on Monday, November 11.
GGC will face the winner of the Spartanburg Methodist-Talladega contest in the first semifinal match at 5 p.m. Then, Bellevue plays the winner of the Jamestown-Carolina match at 8 p.m.
The championship match is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, at 7 p.m. The titlist will earn the league's automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament.
Georgia Gwinnett College (11-6-1) won both of its matches against conference opponents by shutouts. Aurora Miglio leads the team with 10 goals while Natalie Maguire and Kendra Davis have each scored nine goals. Goalkeeper Ayano Kurosawa has been in goal for nine victories and posted a 1.26 goals against average, with 65 saves in 16 matches.
Bellevue (8-5-2) has split its two CAC matches this season – both facing Jamestown. Sami Reding leads the team with four goals. Lily Humes, Mia Hurt, Ketlyn Rota, and Maju Serrano each scored three goals. Goalkeeper Alessia Ricciardi has posted a 1.40 goals against average and made 44 saves in 15 matches.
Jamestown (9-7-0) split its matches against Bellevue during the regular season. Gaby Sarkis leads the team with 10 goals and Vega Canada has tallied five goals this fall. Goalkeeper Allyson Johnson has posted a 2.86 goals against average and made 60 saves in 13 matches.
Spartanburg Methodist (10-4-1) posted a 4-2 record against CAC teams this season. Addie Hawkins and Kaylee Damsen lead the team with six goals apiece while Caroline Taylor and Camila Moscoso have each added five goals. Goalkeeper Ava Wilson has posted a 1.43 goals against average and made 59 saves in 15 matches.
Talladega (4-6-1) won two of its three conference matches. Annalisa Vincent leads the team with 11 goals and Cycoiah Watley scored seven goals. Goalkeeper Natalie Need has posted a 2.28 goals against average and made 45 saves in 10 matches.
Carolina (4-5-6) stood 1-1 against CAC opponents this fall. Alexa Anderson, Morgan Meyers, Ashley Sanchez, and Destini Wilson lead the team with each scoring three goals this season. Goalkeeper Alona Locklear has posted a 1.58 goals against average and made 31 saves in 10 matches.