LEXINGTON, Ky. – Centre field hockey claimed its second Southern Athletic Association Tournament Championship in three seasons Sunday afternoon, defeating rival Rhodes by a narrow 2-1 score at Transylvania's Pat Deacon Stadium.
The 14th-ranked Colonels improve to 18-0 overall, setting a program record for wins in a season. The Lynx were sent home with a 9-6 finish to the year.
Although the SAA does not have an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament, Centre can expect to see its name when the field is announced later this evening.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rhodes came up with a couple of early corner opportunities, but was held without a shot for the entire first quarter.
- Centre's
Shelby Young scored the game's first goal 10 minutes into the contest following a penalty corner, taking advantage of a missed clearance by the Lynx keeper.
- Hailey Mules made Rhodes' first and only shot of the day count, as she leveled the score in the 24th minute after sneaking the ball past
Kristen Mulcahy.
- The Colonels took advantage of another set piece later in the third period, when
Olivia Carter rebounded a blocked shot following a corner and hit the back of the cage.
- Her third goal of the season proved to be the game-winner, as the Centre defense stifled Rhodes in the final quarter.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre and Rhodes have met in all eight SAA Tournament Championship matches since the league's inception in 2012. The Colonels have now claimed three of those titles.
- The Colonels overwhelmed the Lynx with an 18-1 shot advantage, with
Savannah Elpers,
Caroline Brotzge and
Sarah Biggs taking three shots apiece.
- Mulcahy played all 60 minutes in goal to earn the victory.
UP NEXT
Centre will await its NCAA fate, but expects to return to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. The bracket will be released late Sunday evening.
