ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The historic 2018 fall campaign for the No. 7-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College women’s soccer team came to an end Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 loss to No. 10 Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) in the Round of 16 at the NAIA National Championships.

The Grizzlies won a school-record 17 matches, captured the Association of Independent Institutions championship and collected the program’s first NAIA postseason victory. The team brought a seven-match winning streak into the national championship site. The stretch started with a 2-1 victory against Lindsey Wilson on GGC’s home turf on Oct. 19.

The scoreboard verdict was switched in favor of the Blue Raiders in the postseason rematch.

After a scoreless first half, Georgia Gwinnett College (17-4) took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute when freshman Joy Mertzig found the back of the net following a corner kick by senior Ana Gonzalez.

However, Lindsey Wilson (13-3-2) battled back behind goals from Emelie Lijered in the 67th and 78th minutes.

The Blue Raiders held an 11-to-7 shot advantage in the match, including a 5-to-3 edge in shots on goal.

The Grizzlies had 14 seniors on the 2018 roster.

 

Turning Point

Lindsey Wilson scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 78th minute as Emelie Lijered tallied her second goal of the match. Then, the Blue Raiders were able to hold the Grizzlies to one shot over the final 12 minutes. A shot by senior Lauren Moss with 2:47 remaining was stopped by Lindsey Wilson goalkeeper Jovana Ivanovic.

 

Goals

58’ – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Ana Gonzalez)

67’ – Emelie Lijered, LWC (Sina Cavelti)

78’ – Emelie Lijered, LWC (Sina Cavelti)

 

Inside The Numbers

  • Lindsey Wilson outshot GGC by a 11-to-7 margin over the 90-minute match
  • The two goals in the match were the only tallies that GGC allowed in four postseason matches (A.I.I. tournament, NAIA Opening Round and NAIA National Championships)
  • Six different players attempted a shot for the Grizzlies, led by senior Nicole Rodriguez with two shots
  • GGC had a school-record 13 shutouts on the season
  • The team outshot its opponent in 19 of 21 matches in 2018

 

News & Notes

  • GGC ended the 2018 season with a 17-4 record; those 17 victories are a new high for the program
  • Lindsey Wilson improves to 13-3-2 on the season
  • The Grizzlies were making their first appearance at the NAIA National Championship site after collecting the program’s first NAIA postseason victory on Nov. 17 in the Opening Round
  • The Grizzlies were the No. 7 national seed in the 31-team tournament field; Lindsey Wilson was the No. 10 seed
  • Lindsey Wilson leads the series 3-1 with the Grizzlies’ lone victory in the series coming 2-1 at Lawrenceville, Ga., on Oct. 19