LAKE WALES, Fla. – Southeastern remained unbeaten in Sun Conference play with an 84-61 win at Warner Thursday night, outscoring the Royals 50-30 in the second 20 minutes.

The Fire got off to a slow start in the first quarter, going 0-for-3 from 3-point land but the defense kept the team in the game. SEU had five steals in the first 10 minutes and trailed by one, 15-14.

Southeastern used an 8-0 run in the first three minutes of the second period to take control and its biggest lead at 22-15. Additionally, the Fire forced three turnovers on Warner’s first five possession of the second period. The Royals were able to heat back up from long range, connecting on four of their eight 3-point attempts to cut the SEU lead to 34-31 at halftime.

In the third, it was all Fire. SEU closed the third on an 11-0 run over the final 3:10 to take a 64-40 lead into the fourth quarter. Again, it was the defense, forcing nine Warner turnovers and holding the Royals to eight total shot attempts, outscoring the hosts 30-9.

Haley Howarth was 5-of-7 from 3-point land in the second half scoring 15 of her 18 points during the 13 minutes she played in the second half. The sophomore also had six rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Madi Hecox also had 18, going 8-of-10 from the field and had five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Bekki Kalaydijev was also in double-figures with 10 points and led the team in assists with seven. The junior added four steals and four rebounds.

The Fire return to action on Tuesday at home against Thomas at 5:30 p.m.

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LAKELAND, Fla. – The Southeastern University women’s soccer team opened their home schedule with a 5-0 win over fellow Sun Conference member Warner University.

It was Naira Lopez’s day as the transfer sophomore scored five goals in the first half, tying the program record for most goals scored in a game.

“What can you say about Naira. Naira is a special player, she created for herself, her teammates created for her,” said Fire head coach Alan Berrios. “There was uncertainty heading into this game because we didn’t dress 12 players. We talked about controlling our controllables, doing what we can do with what we have, and the girls came out strong with a ton of energy and put them on their heels quickly.”

The first goal from Lopez came early off a corner when she bent the ball around the near post to sneak it past the keeper for her first goal in a Fire uniform.

Later in the 14^th minute, Lopez got the ball at midfield and weaved around the Royals defense and for her second goal of the match. Lopez then converted on a penalty kick for goal number three.

Her final two goals were impressive as goal number four came off a perfectly placed pass from Makayla Peddycourt into the box that Lopez found with her head and guided it past the Royals goalie. Goal number five came when Lopez fired a shot well outside the box and soared over the keeper’s head into the back of the net.

Junior goalkeeper Holly Eddins and the rest of the Fire defense kept the Royals at bay throughout the match as Warner only managed two shots, both of which were saved by Eddins.

The Fire have a week off before their next game on Saturday, September 26^th when they host the USCB Sandsharks at 5:00 pm.

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