Quentin M. Reed – Sports Information Graduate Assistant
Belmont, NC – One goal decided Thursday's Conference Carolinas tournament semifinal match against Limestone (15-3) as the Saints pulled out a 1-0 victory against the Pfeiffer Falcons (8-9-2) at Alumni Field in Belmont.
After pulling off the upset in Monday's matinee against the third seed Mount Olive Trojans, the sixth seeded Pfeiffer women's soccer team looked to continue their winning ways against the second seeded Limestone Saints. Going into Thursday's match, Pfeiffer had appeared in the last five conference semifinal tournament rounds and looked to continue their winning ways as they won four of their last five matches by scoring at least three goals.
The Falcons looked to avenge the October 19th game that resulted in a 5-1 early season loss.
In the 14th minute, Pfeiffer defended a Saints pass and knocked the ball out of bounds past the endline. Naiara Kapstein took the ensuing corner kick as she sent a looping inward pass that found the head of Allie Winglosky who sent it by the hands of Falcons goalkeeper Deidre Gilley for the 1-0 lead.
The Falcons scoring opportunities were limited by the good defensive play of the Saints. Pfeiffer entered Thursday's contest averaging seven and half shots on goal per game but Limestone limited the Falcons to five shots on goal. The Saints also stifled the Falcon offense in the match as they allowed just nine shots as well as winning the battle of corner kicks nine to one.
Pfeiffer's best opportunities came late in the second half when All-Conference players Aaliyah Jackson and Andrea Garcia teamed up on the Saints defense. In the 65th and 71st minutes, Garcia sent passes to Jackson but Saints goal keeper Mariette Martinez each time came away with the save.
Gilley kept the Falcons close all game with her strong play. The sophomore keeper faced 18 shots and corralled four saves.
With the loss, Pfeiffer closes the season as the program saw history made with Jackson's record breaking career marks of 45 goals and 99 points.
