LAKELAND, Fla. – In another instant classic between Southeastern and Keiser, the Fire came away with their second Sun Conference Tournament title with a 4-2 win in a shootout after tying 2-2.

During the shootout, junior goalkeeper Holly Eddins made back to back saves on the second and third Keiser shooters, diving to her left against Emma Holmskov, and diving to her right to guide Alicia Drott’s shot just wide of the post.

“It felt so good, it was just instinct and a lot of prayer to be completely honest,” said Eddins. “This championship means everything. We’ve been working hard and have been preparing for this moment and it feels great.”

Eddins finished the match with nine saves and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“We were excited about the shootout not just because of the quality of players we had on ball, but also having Holly in goal and you just feel that confidence,” said coach Alan Berrios. “She pushed through and is committed and that’s why she’s special.”

After Summer Rusher, Naira Lopez, and Gabriela Labrador made their shots, senior Aisha Solorzano stepped to the spot and drilled the ball into the back of the net to secure the title.

“My mindset was send it to the back of the net and hit it hard,” said Solorzano. “It was a special moment for us. Both sides played a really good game, but it was so nice to win and win at home.”

Keiser got on the scoreboard first with a goal in the 42^nd minute when Drott received a long feed from the midfield and sent it just inside the far post.

The Fire got off to a quick start in the second half, getting a long shot from Makayla Peddycoart in the 49^th minute. In the 58^th, Labrador put a ball into the keeper off a free kick and Jennifer Luna knocked it free and into the back of the net to give SEU the lead.

“This group of girls bought into a system that was based on effort and working hard and never giving up,” said Berrios. “When we went down we talked about bouncing back and bringing the fight.”

Keiser answered with a goal by Holmskov in the 66^th to force extra time.

With the win, the Fire clinch a trip to the NAIA National Tournament which will begin at campus sites April 15^th.

“They love each other, they absolutely love each other,” said Berrios of the team. “They care for one another and they sacrifice for one another.”

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The NAIA released on Tuesday its Women’s Soccer Players of the Week for Week Six.

Offensive Player of the Week: Jennifer Luna, Southeastern (Fla.)

Recorded the game-winner in overtime against Keiser (Fla.), ending the Seahawks’ 28-game winning streak.

Defensive Player of the Week: Holly Eddins, Southeastern (Fla.)

Stopped nine shots in 105 minutes and allowed just one goal to the defending national champion Keiser (Fla.) in a 2-1 overtime victory.

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AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Fire found an offensive rhythm early and stifled the Gyrenes opportunities to possess the ball in the final third, as the Southeastern University women’s soccer team shut out the Ave Maria University Gyrenes 3-0 to improve to 6-0 on the season.

Senior goalkeeper continued her prolific offensive start to the season, netting her first goal of the night in the 16th minute, receiving a through ball from sophomore forward Naira Lopez and maneuvering past the keeper for a shot on the open net.

Lopez manufactured offense again in the 29th minute. Freshman forward Anne-Clara Couturier scored her fifth goal of the season off the ball from Lopez to put SEU ahead of AMU 2-0, an advantage the Fire took into the half.

SEU held AMU to just one shot on goal in the first half, which proved to be the only shot on frame Southeastern conceded in the entire match.

The Fire continued to suppress the Gyrenes offensive attack in the second half, while generating a number of chances themselves. SEU put 12 of their 18 shots on frame throughout the match.

Solorzano found her second tally of the night in the 80th minute, as she finished the pass from junior midfielder Mashell Rodriguez for her team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Junior goalkeeper Holly Eddins recorded her fourth full-90 shutout of the season in five starts in goal.

Southeastern returns to its home pitch this Saturday. The Fire host the St. Thomas University Bobcats at 2:00 p.m.

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MIAMI, Fla. – The Southeastern women’s soccer team swept this week’s Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Players of the Week honors for the week ending Sept. 20.  

Lopez, a 5-foot-6 sophomore midfielder, earned this week’s TSC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Eddins, a 5-foot-5 senior goalkeeper, garnered Defensive Player of the Week recognition for Week Three.   

Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week  
Naira Lopez – Southeastern – SO – MF – Barcelona, Spain 

Lopez came out firing in her home debut for the Fire as she netted five goals in the first half against Warner on Saturday. Her five goals tied a program record for most goals in a single-game. The sophomore transfer also ranks third in the NAIA in shots on goal per game. 

This is Lopez’ first TSC weekly award of the season and first of his career. 

Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week 
Holly Eddins – Southeastern – JR – GK – Seffner, Florida 

Eddins performed well in the home and Sun Conference opener for the Fire, recording saves on both shots Warner attempted. The junior has yet to allow a goal this season in 135 minutes in goal, and has recorded five saves on the year. 

This is Eddins’ first TSC weekly award of the season and third of her career. 

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