Freshman forward Kaitlyn Venzen scored the game's only goal with 6:13 remaining in regulation, lifting the University of Mary Washington women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the University of California-Santa Cruz on Friday night in Newport News, Va., in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal round. The Eagles improve to 12-4-4 on the season, and advance to Sunday's C2C Championship game.
In a game that saw defenses shine, the game stood scoreless into the 84th minute. Then, Venzen, the C2C Rookie of the Year, took a pass from senior all-conference forward Amanda Krest down the right side, and her low shot proved true.
Santa Cruz led in shots, 14-9, as well as corner kicks, 5-4. UMW goalkeeper Ally Holden made three saves, and Krest added a big stop on the goal line late on a corner kick.
The Eagles will face top-seeded Christopher Newport in the C2C Championship on Sunday morning in Newport News at 10:00 a.m. The championship appearance is UMW's third in four seasons, and 20th time all-time.