Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

A Three-Peat

Sophomore Joy Mertzig scored both goals to lead the No. 14-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Viterbo University (Wis.) and the 2019 Association of Independent Institutions championship Saturday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

GGC won its third straight A.I.I. conference title and automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament. NAIA Opening Round matchups and sites will be announced on Monday, Nov. 18.

Mertzig, the 2019 A.I.I. Player of the Year, found the back of the net in the final minute of the first half to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 halftime lead. Freshman Kyara Armenta sent a pass from the left end line to Mertzig, who was at the edge of the 18-yard box in front of the Viterbo goal.

In the second half, Mertzig struck in the 80th minute to give the tournament hosts and No. 1 seed an insurance lead at 2-0. This time, freshman Jenny Stadin dribbled up the middle of the pitch and curved a pass to Mertzig. That created a one-on-one situation with Viterbo goalkeeper Abby Breitbach.

Mertzig's goal marked her 17th of the season, setting the program's single-season record that Ana Gonzalez achieved during the 2017 season. The sophomore midfielder also was named the 2019 A.I.I. Championship's Most Outstanding Player after scoring four goals and provided an assist in GGC's two victories.

Senior goalkeepers Sophie Hoare and Elisa Randel combined for the shutout, with Randel making two key saves in the second half to keep the Grizzlies ahead by an one-goal margin.



Both teams attempted 12 shots, including six shots on goal during the 90 minutes of action.

Freshmen Mariana Almanza, Hilda Nygren and Stadin joined Randel and Mertzig on the A.I.I. all-tournament team.