Junior Addie Adame buried a penalty kick into the opposing goal in the 85th minute as the Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team defeated Bellevue University (Nebraska) 1-0 in a semifinal match of the 2020-21 Association of Independent Institutions Championship Tournament on Friday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

A foul was called on a Bellevue player in the box in front of the net following a free kick – setting up the dramatic finish to the competitive match.

The Grizzlies, 8-5 and the tournament's No. 2 seed, will seek their fourth straight A.I.I. title when it faces No. 4 seed Thomas University (Georgia) in the championship match on Saturday, April 10, at 7 p.m. The Night Hawks defeated top-seed Viterbo University (Wisconsin) 2-0 in Friday's other semifinal match.

GGC controlled the pace of play throughout, enjoying a 12-2 shot advantage. The team had several excellent scoring opportunities, but was kept off the scoreboard by goalkeeper Sabrina Staufenbiel.

Sophomore Kyara Armenta hit the crossbar for the tournament hosts in the 60th minute following a free kick from senior Gabby Bishop near the right corner.

Junior Joy Mertzig, making her first start since March 6, nearly scored twice in the opening five minutes.

Staufenbiel made four saves and Marilia Lages had a chance to give the Bruins (12-4) the lead in the 58th minute when her shot from the top of the box was turned away by GGC freshman goalkeeper Matilda Johansson.
 
Coach's Corner
"What a phenomenal goalkeeping performance (Bellevue) had tonight. She kept them in the match over and over again. It was a gutsy performance by our team tonight, with players needing to play different positions. Sometimes you win because you find something deeper within yourself. That definitely was the case tonight," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  The Grizzlies had numerous opportunities to get the first goal of the match. In the 85th minute, a foul was called in the box in front of the Bellevue goal during a free kick, giving GGC another chance to take the lead. Junior Addie Adame buried the penalty kick and the Grizzlies held on the rest of the way for the one-goal victory.
  85' – Addie Adame, GGC (Penalty kick)
 

• The Grizzlies outshot Bellevue by a 12-2 margin, including a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal
• GGC attempted eight corner kicks
• Five different players recorded a shot for the Grizzlies, led by junior Addie Adame with five shots

• GGC improves to 8-5 on the season, while Bellevue ends the season with a 12-4 record
• Friday's match marked the first meeting between the two colleges
• The Grizzlies are the three-time defending tournament champion
• GGC was receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 4 seed Thomas University (Georgia) on Saturday, April 10, in a 7 p.m. match to determine the winner of the 2020-21 Association of Independent Institutions Championship Tournament, being hosted at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.