MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - For the second time in 2 weeks, Centre got a late goal to knock off Rhodes. This time, an own goal from the Lynx with less than 3 minutes to go, was the difference as the Colonels go on to Sunday's title game after a 2-1 win on Friday night.
The start of the semifinal was quiet as both sides played even possession and field exchanges, similar to the regular season matchup 14 days ago. The first strike came from the Colonels in the 14th minute. Off a turnover just shy of midfield, a long ball was played forward, where
Zara McCarthy took possession down the left. The conference Offensive Athlete of the Year dribbled towards the middle of the field and the top of the Rhodes box. She then pulled a clever move by shooting back to the left and passed the Rhodes keeper for her 12th goal of the season to give the Colonels the lead.
Centre had the next three shot opportunities over the ensuing 12 minutes and while none were on target, it showed the goal kept the momentum in favor of the Colonels. McCarthy would put another on target in the 34th minute, but the try rolled right to the Lynx keeper for a routine save. The Colonels took the 1-0 lead to halftime.
The Colonels had a chance to double the lead in the 60th minute. Off a Rhodes foul, a free kick was played into the Lynx box, where a Centre shot was met with a handball. The referee pointed to the spot to signal an upcoming penalty kick. McCarthy stepped to the spot and chose to go right down the middle with the shot. The Rhodes keeper read it perfectly and held ground to punch the ball over the top and deny the PK to Centre.
The Colonels continued to hold the lead as Rhodes found chances to be sparse for much of the night. That would change with just over 5 minutes to play. Off a Centre foul, Rhodes launched a free kick deep into the Centre half, where a deflected ball found its way to the foot of a Rhodes striker, who delivered a perfect strike from 20 yards out, past
Madeline Redmon for a stunning equalizer. Centre regrouped and would soon pull off another late stunner.
In the 87th minute, a Centre throw-in deep in the Rhodes half led to an end line crossing attempt. The ball was intended for McCarthy, but a Rhodes defender stabbed at the ball with her left foot, sending it over the keeper's arm and into the net for a shocking own goal to give Centre a 2-1 lead with 3:35 to play. Rhodes almost pulled off its own stunner just 30 seconds later. A shot from 25 yards out sailed towards the Centre goal, but
Madeline Redmon got up to flick the ball off the bar and out for a Rhodes corner. The Lynx threatened again but could not get another shot on goal as the Centre back line was able to do enough to clear the ball out to midfield with 1:45 to play. Rhodes would not seriously threaten again as Centre escaped to advance.
Centre will take on Trinity for the championship on Sunday, starting at 12:00pm. The Tigers needed double overtime to defeat Sewanee on Friday. Centre and Trinity played to a 2-2 draw on October 11th, the only draw for either team in conference play. Trinity is looking for its second straight title, while Centre goes for its 11th and first since 2022.
