Lenoir-Rhyne Takes Down Queens to Advance to Regional Final

SALISBURY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne women's soccer team got two goals from Kara Gavaghan - one in each half - and defeated SAC Rival Queens 2-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon at Catawba. The Bears avenge a loss to the Royals in the SAC Tournament semifinals just nine days ago and move on to take on Flagler in the Sweet 16.
 
"Very proud of the mental toughness of the girls," head coach Gary Higgins said. "They used the last defeat to Queens as motivation for this one. I told them that when they feel tired, imagine the feeling they had after the SAC semifinal game, and keep pushing. We were able to get it done on the defensive end and made the most of the opportunities on the offensive end. 

"When you look up the word 'clutch' in the dictionary, Kara Gavaghan's picture should be right there next to it." 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP

• Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 2, Queens 0
• Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (12-5-3), Queens (16-5-1)
• Location: Salisbury, N.C. | Catawba College

STATS OF THE MATCH

• Gavaghan scored in the 15th and 47th minutes for her 3rd and 4th goals on the season. She has scored two goals in two different games, with the first being in the regular-season finale against Carson-Newman. 
• The first goal was assisted by Kate Casey and Madi Kyle, and the second was assisted by Allie Zueger on a beautiful cross. 
• Queens had the upper hand in a lot of the stat categories, but LR was ahead in the end in the one category that matters the most.
• The Royals out-shot the Bears 17-8 and 8-3 with shots on goal. The Bears scored on two of their three shots on goal on First-Team All-Conference goalkeeper Erica Turner. 
• Grayson Cameron got her second straight clean sheet and eighth of the year. In the two NCAA Tournament games, she has stopped all 13 shots she has faced. 
• Queens had the advantage in corner kicks 5-2.
• The Bears committed 21 fouls to Queens' 12. 
• In three matchups with the Royals this season, the Bears only conceded one goal. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• This year is the first time since 2010 the Bears have won multiple NCAA Tournament games in a season. LR won three tournament games in their first-ever appearance in the event during that 2010 season.
• Four out of the six all-time NCAA Tournament wins in program history have come on the road.  
• Gavaghan has been clutch, especially at Catawba. The sophomore from La Crosse, Wisc. scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Catawba in the SAC Tournament semifinals last spring, in addition to scoring the game-winning goal in this game. 
• Gavaghan also had the game-winner against Carson-Newman in the regular-season finale. 
• This is the second straight season LR has beaten Queens in the postseason. Last season, the Bears defeated the Royals 2-1 in overtime in the SAC Tournament Championship game. 
• Two All-Conference players didn't play in the game for LR. Ria Acton was out with an injury, and Leonie Proessl was suspended because of a red card in the previous game. 

UP NEXT: The Bears move on to the Regional Final where they will take on Flagler on either Thursday, Dec. 2 or Friday, Dec. 3. The time and location of the game will be announced soon.