Grizzlies top BU, 2-1, to claim CAC crown

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- A pair of first-half goals saw Georgia Gwinnett College take down the top-seeded Bellevue University women's soccer team 2-1 in Saturday's CAC Tournament Championship Game.

The Bruins suffered their first loss since Sept. 26 to slide to 12-3-1, while Georgia Gwinnett, with their fourth win in five games, improves to 6-12-1. 

With the victory, Georgia Gwinnett secured the CAC's automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament for the sixth straight season and seventh time overall.

Bellevue will await Monday's Selection Show to see whether their resume is strong enough to nab an at-large bid.

The Bruins looked strong in possession in the early going, registering the first four shots of the match, though they managed just one on frame.

Midway through the first half, possession flipped in favor of Georgia Gwinnett, and Kyara Armenta recorded the Grizzlies' first shot in the 28^th minute.

Armenta found the first goal two and a half minutes later, one-timing home Kendra Davis' cross from the middle of the box.

The next good chance came off the foot of Rika Yasuzawa, who uncorked a long-range shot in the 33^rd minute that sailed just high over the crossbar.

Gabriela Rosas doubled the Grizzly lead in the 41^st minute. Caroline Andersen threaded a pass through the box that Rosas readjusted, coming back to the ball, and popped a high shot into the back of the net.

After Bellevue's strong start, GGC dominated the stat sheet the remainder of the first half, taking a 2-0 lead into the break. Shots were 7-4 in favor of the hosts at the break, but over the final 18 minutes, it was 7-0 to Georgia Gwinnett.

BU came out of the break with a renewed intensity, pressuring and asking questions of the GGC backline at every opportunity.

Armenta nearly put the game away at the hour-mark with a shot from 25 yards, but Alessia Ricciardi went airborne to deliver a diving punch of the ball over the endline.

Bellevue found a lifeline in the 67^th minute when Emma Madej, who had largely been frustrated to that point, won a penalty. Ximena Jauregui stepped to the spot and slotted home her 11^th goal of the year to make it a one-goal game, 2-1.

Maju Serrano had a chance to take advantage of the newfound momentum a couple of minutes later, but her header went straight into the arms of Matilda Johansson.

A miscommunication in the GGC box in the 74^th minute gave the Bruins a corner that nearly led to a goal as a shot from Emma Stock drew iron, caroming off the crossbar.

Serrano came up with a steal in the 75^th minute to start a counterattack with a daring run, but the Bruins were unable to come up with a shot when an offside flag was raised.

The Bruins kept the intensity into chippy the final 10 minutes, but the equalizer was not to be found as the Grizzlies hung on for the 2-1 victory.

Three Bruins - Emma Madej, Ximena Jauregui, and Maddy Vasquez - were recognized on the CAC All-Tournament Team.