WOMEN'S SOCCER CLINCHES WHAC TOURNAMENT BERTH BEHIND GAME WINNER FROM JOYCE

WASHINGTON, MI - Women's Soccer (12-5-0, 6-4-0) earned a clutch win in its final regular season home game, defeating the Cornerstone Golden Eagles (6-7-2, 2-6-2) 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon. After celebrating senior Hanna Swanson, who took the first touch of the game, Rochester was able to secure a win in the final minutes of the contest.

The victory for the Warriors clinched Rochester its second-straight WHAC Tournament berth.

Cornerstone outshot the Warriors 23-17, and the contest was a tale of two halves. Rochester got things started off with a tap-in goal from sophomore Sammi Springer, assisted by Faith Staley, in the first eight minutes. Springer would get her second goal of the game and her tenth of the season in the 25th minute on a perfectly placed free kick into the bottom left corner.

The second half would be a much different story for the Warriors, with Cornerstone going on a relentless attacking effort, doubling the ball at midfield and forcing several one-on-one opportunities. Goalkeeper Naomie Tartrou made several stellar saves during the half, including two critical saves in one-on-one situations.

Cornerstone would score off a scrum in the box after a corner in the 60th minute and would score a goal in the 80th minute behind a solid breakaway opportunity. However, the Warriors maintained composure and would secure a critical goal in the 85th minute.

After a great attacking play, Rochester would force a corner kick, taken by sophomore Kennedy Fraser. Fraser would line up a perfect pass to junior Kaylah Joyce, who recorded her first goal of the season at no better time to do so. Rochester's defense would ride the momentum for the rest of the game, preventing the Golden Eagles from finding another chance.

Tartrou recorded nine saves during the contest.

UP NEXT

The Warriors will play their final game of the regular season in a potential preview of a WHAC Tournament matchup when they travel to RV Northwestern Ohio (10-5-2, 7-2-1) on Saturday.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics