(Story and photo provided Truett McConnell Sports Communications)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The No. 20 Truett McConnell University women's soccer team made program history on Saturday after taking down No. 10 Marian University with a score of 3-1 in the NAIA National Championships Opening Round, advancing to the Sweet 16 at the final site location in Foley, Alabama. TMU extends their win streak to 10 after collecting the dominating victory, currently sitting at an overall record of 18-2-2. 

PLAY-BY-PLAY

The Lady Bears proved a force to be reckoned with from the start, sparked by shots from Nadiia Ivanchenko and Eliska Dvorakova. In the 10th minute, sharpshooter Ashley Johnson put TMU on the board after a perfect setup from Ella Weir (1-0). Marian immediately followed the action with a goal of their own to even the score, but Johnson could not be stopped as a ball from Dvorakova gave the junior the opportunity needed to steal back the lead with a skilled shot from the left side of the box (2-1). The Lady Bears continued to gain speed for the remainder of the half, taking a total of nine shots and earning a single corner kick. 

The start of the second half saw TMU at the top of their game after a free kick by Ivanchenko connected with Dvorakova to offer Megan Darden a perfect shot in the box to raise the Lady Bears score to 3-1. TMU was capable of taking a total of 11 shots while offering Marian zero chances for a shot at goal. The Lady Bears dominated for the remainder of regulation, ultimately securing the win and making program history as they punched their ticket to the final site of competition for the NAIA National Championships. 

LEADERS 

Johnson led the way for the Lady Bears after recording two stellar goals and four shots, three on goal, followed by Dvorakova who tallied two clutch assists and five shots, two on goal. M. Darden shined with a single goal on the night and two shots, while Ivanchenko recorded one assist and two shots. 

UP NEXT

The Lady Bears will hit the road to compete in the NAIA National Championships Sweet 16 on November 27-December 4 in Foley, Ala. Truett McConnell will play Life (Ga.) in the round of 16 on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 2 p.m. ET.