Bruins fall to Grizzlies on late penalty kick

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- A highly controversial penalty kick call in the final five minutes led to the game's only goal as the Bellevue University women's soccer team fell 1-0 to host Georgia Gwinnett College in the semifinals in the Association of Independent Institutions' tournament on Friday evening at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Georgia Gwinnett improves their record to 8-5-0 and secures one of the A.I.I.'s two automatic bids to the NAIA National Tournament with the win. Bellevue falls to 12-4-0 on the year.

Recap:

The first half saw Georgia Gwinnet hold the majority of possession with BU venturing out primarily on counterattacking opportunities.

Despite GGC holding a 5-1 advantage in shots (3-0 on goal) and a 6-1 edge in corners GGC, the Grizzlies never truly threatened as the game proceeded to halftime scoreless.

The Bellevue back line of Emah Maahs, Emma Phillipson, Morgan McIlnay, and Emma Stock were standout performers throughout the match, limiting passing lanes and shooting angles to a Grizzly team that came in averaging over 2.5 goals per game.

The best chance for either side came in the 48^th minute when Kyara Armenta received a cross inside the penalty area but shanked her shot wide right.

Bellevue saw their best opportunity to score in the 58^th minute off a corner. Bruna Cola Bielski sent in a cross that Marilia Lages was able to control for a shot but her attempt was clear just off the GGC goal line to keep things scoreless.

Armenta had two more good looks at goal. In the 61^st minute, following a free kick just outside box, Armenta's shot railed off crossbar and dropped down but somehow stayed out. Then, in the 77^th minute Armenta found herself 1-on-1 with Bruin keeper Sabrina Staufenbiel but Staufenbiel did well to come off her line and force Armenta to shoot wide to the far side of the goal.

The game changed in the 85^th minute when the Grizzlies won a free kick at the corner of the penalty area. The free kick lobbed into the box and was headed past the back goal post when the referee whistled the play dead and awarded a penalty.

Addie Adame stepped to the spot and out-guessed Staufenbiel for the game's first, and only, goal.

Georgia Gwinnet outshot Bellevue 12-2 on the night and totaled an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Staufenbiel made four saves in the loss. Matilda Johansson stopped the only shot on target she faced.

Both Staufenbield and Phillipson were named to the A.I.I. All-Tournament team for their performances.

Coach Tom White:

"I'm devastated as we deserved more tonight. We defended so well and they (GGC) struggled to come up with solutions."