Box Score HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Georgia Gwinnett women's soccer team faced a daunting task on Saturday evening, and thanks to a fantastic outing from goalkeeper Courtney McKenzie, the Grizzlies were able to hang tough with fifth-ranked William Carey in a 1-0 loss in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round at Crusader Field.
"I'm very proud of how we did today, and I'm especially proud of how we battled," GGC head coach Chris Kouns said. "We were up against a team that's been in the national tournament several times and has been ranked among the top five most of the year. I would've liked us to have been a little more dangerous, but Carey is a great team. That's what happens in a national tournament, sometimes you're up against great teams."
McKenzie, who finished the match with a career-best 10 saves, was frequently under pressure from a Crusader attack that has now outscored opponents 57-5 on the season. The Acworth native made perhaps her biggest save in the dying moments of the first half, keeping the game within reach at 1-0 as each team headed into the break.
"Courtney had three or four really, really great saves," Kouns said. "That's what I've come to expect. She's worked really hard all year long, and she's dedicated herself to improving. Without a doubt, she helped us tonight, and I'm really appreciative of the effort she put forth."
WCU (17-2-1) fired the opening salvo in the 18th minute as Darby Nettles found the back of the net from distance to account for the match's lone score.
The loss brought GGC's 2015 season to an end. The Grizzlies finished with a 10-9-1 record, which represents a fourth-consecutive double-digit win season for the Green and Gray. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country this season, the Grizzlies picked up their first-ever postseason win, advanced to their first-ever NAIA national tournament and set a school record for consecutive home victories.
NOTES: GGC is 0-9-1 all-time against ranked opponents … The Grizzlies are 0-2-1 versus William Carey, which is the only Mississippi school that GGC has faced … Kelsey Griswold, a senior defender, finished her career having played in all 75 matches in school history … GGC is 4-6 all-time in the month of November.
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