GREENSBORO, N.C.—Natalie Habich’s goal in the 29th minute proved to be the game-winner for second-seeded Greensboro College as the Pride claimed the USA South Athletic Conference (USA South) East Division crown with a Saturday afternoon victory over fourth-seeded Pfeiffer University, 2-0.
The Pride (6-1-1) roared early with four shots and two corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of action as they dominated possession. Even with two corner kicks over the next 12 minutes, the pace of play slowed as offensive chances weren’t as plentiful as they were to start the match. Then, in the 29th minute, Angela Niles passed the ball back to Habich who launched the ball to the right end of the net from 35-yards out to break the tie for the early lead. Greensboro held defensively for the rest of the half as the back line yielded no shots from the Falcons for the remainder of the period.
Pfeiffer started the second half with an early test of Greensboro goalkeeper Hannah Rice in the 48th minute, but Rice made the save on the long shot. The Falcons gained significant possession through the 65th minute as Pfeiffer posted two offensive chances near the Pride’s 18-yard box, but both times the Falcons were called for being offside.
The Pride began to turn the possession advantage back in their favor, but not without one final Pfeiffer test of Hannah Rice. Gabby Bosak sent a 30-yard shot towards Hannah Rice in the 69th minute, but Rice held her ground in her six-yard box to make the save.
Greensboro put the match out of reach in the 79th minute as Logan Schnabl sent a centering cross into the 18-yard box from the left corner to Alexis Chase. Placed at the right side of the box, Chase headed the ball into the net on the right-post side of the goal as Greensboro took a 2-0 lead and held on to claim the USA South East Division crown.
Rice (5-1-1) finished with two saves while claiming the win in net for the Pride. Maddie Riddle (1-2-2) took the loss for Pfeiffer, making one save.
The Pride claimed the USA South’s East Division title to wrap up the 2021 Spring season. The Pride, along with the USA South, played an abbreviated schedule from what would have been the 2020 season in order to play meaningful competition this academic year and separated championships for each the East and West Division. The Pride looks forward to returning to a normal, full regular season in the Fall.
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Courtesy of Bryan Jones, Greensboro College Sports Information Director