The Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team added another footnote for its historic 2018 season with a 3-0 victory against Columbia College (Mo.) on Saturday evening in NAIA Opening Round action at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The win marks the Grizzlies' first NAIA postseason tournament victory, won the record-setting 17th victory of the season and advances the team to the national championship site for the first time.

Next up for No. 7-seeded GGC (17-3) is a match against No. 10-seeded Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) in Orange Beach, Ala. Match details are forthcoming. The national championship tournament is Nov. 26 through Dec. 1.

Three goals on six first-half shots led the way for the team in the home postseason matchup. Freshman Victoria Bischof scored two of those early goals: first in the 11th minute and then with one minute before halftime, off a pass from senior Nicole Rodriguez.

Senior Macarena Errazuriz accounted for the Grizzlies' other goal, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the 24th minute on a header following a corner kick from senior Ana Gonzalez.

GGC held the Cougars (14-5-2) to two shots on goal over the 90 minutes of action.

Junior Elisa Randel recorded her eighth shutout of the season and GGC's 13th among the team's 17 victories.


 
Coach's Corner
"Our team's pace and how quickly we move the ball are a bit of a challenge for most opponents to get adjusted to early in a match. We have had a lot of good starts this season. We shutout a good team in the Round of 32. It is special every time you win in the postseason," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.

Turning Point
The first goal in a postseason soccer match is always crucial. The Grizzlies struck first early, in the 11th minute, on a beautiful shot from freshman Victoria Bischof. The early momentum carried over as GGC found the back off the net two more times in the first half.
 
Goals
11' – Victoria Bischof, GGC (unassisted)
24' – Macarena Errazuriz, GGC (Ana Gonzalez)
44' – Victoria Bischof, GGC (Nicole Rodriguez)
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC held a 9-to-6 shot advantage in the match, including a 5-to-2 edge in shots on goal
• Freshman Victoria Bischof scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season
• Junior goalkeeper Elisa Randel made both of her saves in the second half; she recorded her eighth shutout of the season
• Thirteen of GGC's 17 wins have come in shutout fashion

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 17-3 on the season; those 17 victories are a new high for the program
• Columbia ended the 2018 season with a 14-5-2 record
• The Grizzlies won their first NAIA postseason match in women's soccer history
• GGC has won its last five postseason home matches
• The team has yet to allow a goal in three postseason matches this season
• The Grizzlies are the No. 7 national seed in the 31-team tournament field
• The team is 10-1 at the Grizzly Soccer Complex this fall
• GGC has won seven straight matches, outscoring its opponents 28-to-5 during the winning streak
• Saturday's match was the first meeting played between the two programs

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College advances to Orange Beach, Ala., to face No. 10-seed Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) at the 2018 NAIA National Championship tournament site. Match details are forthcoming early next week.