Back to Back: IU East wins RSC Women's Soccer Championship again
Back to Back: IU East wins RSC Women's Soccer Championship again
By IU East Sports Information
EATON, Ohio - Nothing could rain on this moment.
The Indiana University East women's soccer team braved a steady downpour on the way to a 3-0 victory over Asbury University in the River States Conference Women's Soccer Championship finals at Eaton (Ohio) High School on Saturday, April 10.
"This team has dealt with its fair share of adversity and more," IU East coach Shane Meridith said. "I can't speak enough about their character, ambition and willingness to do what it takes to accomplish a goal."
With the win, the Red Wolves (11-3-1) claimed their second straight RSC title and earned a bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
"We were coming off a loss to (Asbury) recently where they won it in the last few minutes," Kelsea Joseph said, referring to a 1-0 overtime loss to the Eagles during the regular season. "We were just really hungry to come back and just do it."
"It's just crazy to think about all of the work that we have put in and how much we have grown together," Joseph continued. "There was just something else today with the unity. We were ready, and we were all in."
IU East's assignment for the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Opening Round will be announced April 12.
Asbury finishes the season at 10-6-1. IU East defeated Asbury 1-0 for its first conference tournament title back in 2019.
"As far as the game, it would be very shortsighted to name a player or two or three, as we had a total team effort with lots of people playing at a very high-level," Meridith said. "This one is special."
The Red Wolves scored twice in the opening period before adding the final tally late in the second half.
Kimberly Trapp found the back of the net at 26:06 to put the Red Wolves up 1-0.
The second score at 31:11 was credited to Joseph after Sophie Pohlabel headed the ball off a corner kick by Lexi Berkely.
"It was wild," Joseph said of the corner. "I always love going in on the corners. Sophie and I were just there. I didn't know it went in and she didn't know."
Ellie Guenther, who was in the mix in front of the goal, informed the duo that the ball did indeed end up in the goal.
"That was really cool," Joseph said.
Berkely picked up the last goal at 85:53 with an assist from Angely Luna.