LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Sophomore Joy Mertzig scored both goals to lead the No. 14-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Viterbo University (Wis.) and the 2019 Association of Independent Institutions championship Saturday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

GGC won its third straight A.I.I. conference title and automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament. NAIA Opening Round matchups and sites will be announced on Monday, Nov. 18.

Mertzig, the 2019 A.I.I. Player of the Year, found the back of the net in the final minute of the first half to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 halftime lead. Freshman Kyara Armenta sent a pass from the left end line to Mertzig, who was at the edge of the 18-yard box in front of the Viterbo goal.

In the second half, Mertzig struck in the 80th minute to give the tournament hosts and No. 1 seed an insurance lead at 2-0. This time, freshman Jenny Stadin dribbled up the middle of the pitch and curved a pass to Mertzig. That created a one-on-one situation with Viterbo goalkeeper Abby Breitbach.

Mertzig’s goal marked her 17th of the season, setting the program’s single-season record that Ana Gonzalez achieved during the 2017 season. The sophomore midfielder also was named the 2019 A.I.I. Championship’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring four goals and provided an assist in GGC’s two victories.

Senior goalkeepers Sophie Hoare and Elisa Randel combined for the shutout, with Randel making two key saves in the second half to keep the Grizzlies ahead by an one-goal margin.

Both teams attempted 12 shots, including six shots on goal during the 90 minutes of action.

Freshmen Mariana Almanza, Hilda Nygren and Stadin joined Randel and Mertzig on the A.I.I. all-tournament team.

 

Turning Point

The championship match appeared to be heading into halftime scoreless. However, sophomore Joy Mertzig had other ideas. She found the back of the net in the first minute before the break to give the tournament host the lead and momentum heading into the second half.

 

Goals

45’ – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Kyara Armenta)

80’ – Joy Mertzig, GGC (Jenny Stadin)

 

Inside The Numbers

  • Both teams attempted 12 shots and six shots on goal over the 90 minutes of action
  • Viterbo recorded five corner kicks compared to GGC having two corner kicks
  • Sophomore Joy Mertzig scored a single-season record 17th goal, with her second tally of the match
  • Eight different GGC players had a shot attempt in the victory

 

News & Notes

  • GGC improves to 14-5-1 on the season, while Viterbo ends its 2019 season with a 9-4-2 in 2019
  • The Grizzlies were the top seed in the four-team postseason event; Viterbo stood as the No. 2 seed
  • Georgia Gwinnett was ranked No. 14 in the final regular-season NAIA Top 25 poll
  • GGC is unbeaten over its last seven home postseason matches
  • The Grizzlies have won the last three A.I.I. tournaments

 

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College will find out its opponent and site location for the NAIA Opening Round site on Monday, Nov. 18.