ST. AUGUSTINE - The third-seeded Flagler College women's soccer team travels to Columbus, Georgia for the third time this season to face first-seeded Columbus State University in the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship Friday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
The Saints (14-3-3) are coming off a 1-1 tie against second-seeded Catawba College where Flagler advanced after edging Catawba 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout. Andrea Fernandez scored the Saints' lone goal on a penalty kick in the first half. Flagler played woman down in the final 46 minutes of the match, including 20 minutes of overtime. Keeper Madison North had four saves and made two stops during the PK shootout.
Fernandez leads the nation averaging 2.67 points per game and is third in NCAA Division II averaging 1.11 goals per game. The sophomore forward has netted 20 goals and dished out eight assists for 48 total points. Josefine Nilsen is second on the squad with 14 points on five goals and four assists. North holds a .93 goals against average and a .804 save percentage with seven shutouts this season.
The nationally ranked No. 3 Cougars (18-2-1) are coming off a 1-0 victory against fifth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University. Lauren Barnes scored the game-winning goal for Columbus State in the 80th minute. Goalkeeper Lizzie Hedrick started for the Cougars and made four stops in the first 55 minutes while Sara Halilhodzic made four saves in the net in the final 35 minutes.
Emma Beddow is eighth in NCAA Divison II with a .90 goals per game average and ninth in the country averaging 2.14 points per game. Beddow leads the Cougars with 45 points on 19 goals and seven assists. Rachel Sweigard trails Beddow with 40 points on 17 goals and six assists. Hedrick has started in all 21 games and holds a .53 goals against average while boasting a .880 save percentage through 1018 minutes played.
In the teams' last meeting, the Saints edged the Cougars, 1-0 to earn their fourth straight Peach Belt Conference Championship. Fernandez scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 81st minute. North made eight saves in the victory to earn her sixth shutout of the season. Columbus State holds a 14-5-3 all-time record against Flagler, but the Saints are 5-2-3 against the Cougars in the last 10 meetings.
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