The Roberts Wesleyan University women’s soccer team has earned a berth in the semifinal round of the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I National Championship tournament for the second time in four seasons.
Roberts, the second overall seed in pool play, defeated No. 5 Carolina University 3-0 on November 30 at the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex to secure a spot in the December 2 semifinals.
The Redhawks were seeded first when the field was reseeded for the semifinals and will play fourth-seeded Oakland City University on December 2.
“We were not as sharp as we are used to being (on November 30), but the team did well to see the game through,” Roberts coach Sarah McClellan said. “Once again, the goals we scored today were quality.”
The Redhawks, who defeated Columbia International University 4-0 on November 28, captured Pool B with six points. Roberts also reached the semifinals in 2019 before falling to eventual national champion Cedarville University, 1-0.
Junior Gabrielle Ciambella opened the scoring for Roberts in the ninth minute. Justine Sharda sent a high pass into the middle, Ciambella headed the ball to the ground and kicked it in for her seventh of the season.
Roberts had several quality opportunities in the second half before Ciambella found a cutting Kara Choate in front of goal in the 78th minute. Choate put one touch on the ball and finished from 10 yards out for her fifth goal of the season.
Freshman Kaeleigh Romero closed out the scoring, notching her fifth of the season in the 90th minute.
Roberts registered 24 shots in the game, 12 in each half, while controlling play throughout.
Junior Nicolette Knauf made two saves while notching her seventh shutout of the season.
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