MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech women's soccer team continues its historic 2025 season as they punched their ticket to the NCAA Semifinal as they defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 2-1 on Saturday, Dec. 6.
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Score: 4-Seed Florida Tech 2 | 6-Seed Lenoir-Rhyne 1 
Records: Florida Tech 15-3-6 (5-2-3 SSC) | Lenoir-Rhyne 13-5-3, 7-1-2 SAC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla. 
 
GAME NOTES

• The Panthers were possession heavy as Alice Mottershead and Savannah Oxley fired shots on goal in the 7^th and 10^th minutes that were saved by the Lenoir-Rhyne keeper.
• After a foul committed by the Panthers, Lenoir-Rhyne had a break away where they shot at the Florida Tech net that was saved by Kaitlin Sinkler.
• Katie Ormerod had two good looks at the 21^st and 22^nd minutes. The first shot was deflected while the second was a tad high.
• In the 30^th minute, Rebecca Storr came up from the back line and fired a shot that was right at the LR keeper.
• Ormerod made a couple of moves and kept the pressure on the Bear defense. She planted a shot on goal resulting in another Lenoir-Rhyne save.
• Rio Naganawa attempted to break the tie in the 34^th minute from outside the box, but another save kept Tech off the board.
• The Panthers continued to control the ball and had three shots in the 43^rd and 45^th minutes. Izzie Bromages shot was deflected while Mottershead and Ormerod's were saved.
• Both teams went into half 0-0. Florida Tech out shot Lenoir-Rhyne 15-2 in the first half while the Bear goalkeeper tallied seven saves.
• Both sides exchanged shots on goal early in the second half, resulting in saves by each respective keepers.
• In the 66^th minute, Lenoir-Rhyne found themselves a good opportunity as they crossed into the box from the far side. Kaitlin Sinkler got a hand on the ball, but a Bear attacker was able to control the rebound and find the back of the net to put Lenoir-Rhyne up 1-0. 
• In the same minute, LRU tried to extend the lead with a shot, but Kaitlin Sinkler recorded the save.
• Sara Batchadji and Rio Naganawa tried to tie up the match with a couple of shots, but both were saved.
• After a lengthy replay review, Alice Mottershead ripped a shot at the Lenoir-Rhyne goal in the 83^rdminute that was redirected off a defender and into the goal to tie the match. 
• In the 86^th minute, Mottershead fired at the Lenoir-Rhyne goal. A LRU defender tried to clear the ball but was kicked right to Lauryn Wood who fired into the back of the Bears net.
• With four minutes remaining, the Panthers held possession. Rio Naganawa ripped a shot at the Lenoir-Rhyne net that was saved.
• The Bears were unable to get the ball past midfield as the clock hit zero and the Florida Tech Panthers punched their ticket to the NCAA Semifinals in Colorado.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Tech outshot Lenoir-Rhyne in the first half 15-2. The Panthers continued to pepper the Bears net in the second half as Florida Tech out shot Lenoir-Rhyne 12-6.
• Alice Mottershead tied the match in the 83^rd minute with her third goal of the season.
• Lauryn Wood scored the equalizer in the 86^th minute with her seventh goal of the 2025 campaign.
• Kaitlin Sinkler collected four saves.
• This is the Panthers third trip to the NCAA Final Four.
• Today will be Savannah Oxley's 79^th career game, which ties the program record for most games played.
• This will be the 10^th NCAA Tournament game played for Sara Batchadji, Savannah Oxley and Lauryn Wood. This ties the program record for most NCAA Tournament games played.

 
UP NEXT
The Panthers have advanced to the National Semifinal and will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Tech earned the 3rd seed in the Final Four and will take on Cal Poly Ponoma on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8:00 p.m. EST.