MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Hannah Durocher scored her first goal of the year and it was a huge one as top-seeded Barry rallied past #5 Florida Tech 2-1 in the semifinals of the Sunshine State Conference Women's Soccer Championship on Friday night at Buccaneer Field.
Tied 1-1, Durocher bounced a shot off the hands of Tech keeper Julia Kantor and into the back of the net. Rayah Seckler, who scored the game-tying goal, had the assist.
The Panthers (10-5-2) got on the board first in the 42nd minute. After a foul on the Bucs, Cierra Misner lofted a perfect pass into the box and Taylor Eller flicked it forward over the head of Barry keeper Paula Forero. Florida Tech carried a 1-0 lead into the break.
The goal masked a solid effort by the Bucs (12-2-1) in the first period as they out-shot the Panthers 9-6 and were tied 2-2 in corners.
The second half was a much different affair, however. The Bucs set the tone in the 55th minute. Lavinia Nkomo carried a ball deep toward the baseline and her cross from the right side found Seckler all alone in the middle of the box. Seckler's shot beat Kantor to the near post to knot the game at 1-1.
Barry dominated the last 40 minutes of the game, out-shooting the Panthers 9-1 and holding a 2-0 edge in corners.
Forero had three saves to earn her 12th win, while Kantor had six saves in taking the loss.
Barry now advances to the finals of the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 pm against the third-seeded Tampa Spartans. Tampa tied Nova Southeastern 1-1 in the semifinals, but advanced 5-4 in penalty kicks.
Sunday's game will be carried on ESPN3, with play-by-play from Jack Eich and analysis by Samantha Bohon. Fans can access the link at http://es.pn/1l5VUVV.
