Truett McConnell Comeback Comes Up Short

(Brandt McCall of the NAIA contributed to the release)

FOLEY, Ala. - Truett McConnell was unable to complete the comeback on Tuesday as it fell 2-1 to Life (Ga.) in the 2023 NAIA Women's Soccer Championship round of 16.

The tournament is being held at Championship Stadium in Foley, Ala.

Here are the match highlights:

• The first 26 minutes between the two Georgia teams has been in the midfield, while Life (Ga.) had a pair of chances early on, the Bears of Truett McConnell had their first opportunity on goal in the 28th minute.
• TMU's Eliska Dvorakova had a great look on goal in the 31st minute but sent it high just over the crossbar.
• After the first 45 minutes of play, we were still knotted at 0-0 as neither team had many chances.
• The Running Eagles struck first in the 51st minute as Marey Helgadottir served the ball into the box for Lilja Bjorg Olafsdottir to redirect it around the Bears' goalkeeper.
• The free kick on the corner of the 18-yard box, set up Life (Ga.) to play it into the box allowing Marey Helgadottir and Lavinia Horning to assist on the goal that was off the head of Lilja Bjorg Olafsdottir for the 2-0 lead in the 64th minute.
• TMU answered back in the 67th minute off the foot of Isabella Hodson to cut the margin back to one.
• The Running Eagles' defensive line came up big in the 81st minute, needing a goal line clear after Dvorakova was able to beat the Life goalkeeper in her effort to knot this game up.

Truett McConnell outshot Life 8-7 with both teams having 4 shots on goal.

The goal was Hodson's fourth of the season.

Truett McConnell finishes the season 18-3-2.