Tyler Junior College shined Tuesday during its first game in the NJCAA Division I women’s soccer tournament with a 4-1 win over the St. Louis (Mo.) Community College Archers in Melbourne, Fla.
Sophomore defender Alice Coyne led the Apache Ladies with a goal and three assists.
Coach Corey Rose said he was happy with the team’s performance.
“We executed the game plan. We moved the ball well, played well,” he said. “We also have good sophomore leadership and it showed tonight.”
TJC scored its first goal about 10 minutes into the game on a true team effort as three players combined with passes to set up forward Tricia Gould to power her shot into the back of the net.
Coyne helped score the second goal 16 minutes later by taking advantage of Archer keeper Apolonia Thomas, who became entangled with one of her teammates in front of goal. Toni Spears kicked the ball high and Coyne did the rest.
The Apache Ladies maintained a strong defense, keeping the action at St. Louis’ end of the field most of the first half and wearing down the Archers’ resolve.
Tyler found the back of the net once again with about five minutes remaining before the halftime break with sophomore forward Jahmela Williams scoring on a corner kick from Coyne.
St. Louis finally put together an offensive strike with about 18 seconds left in the half on an unassisted goal by Alyssa Thiessen to bring the score to 3-1.
Their good feelings were short-lived with TJC hitting for its fourth early in the second half with Murray scoring on a pass from Coyne. TJC maintained that score the rest of the way.
Tyler finished the game with nine shots on goal and 11 corner kicks. The Archers managed two shots on goal and two corner kicks.
Tyler (17-2-2) moves on to play Butler (Kan.) Community College (22-2-0) at 3:30 p.m. (CST) today. St. Louis Community College (16-4-1) is eliminated from the tournament.
Women’s Division I
At Melbourne, Fla.
Monday’s Games
No. 1 Brevard (Fla.) 2, No. 12 Muskegon (Mich.) 0
No. 2 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) 3, No. 11 Louisburg (N.C.) 0
No. 3 Iowa Western 5, Lake County (Ill.) 0
No. 4 Butler (Kan.) 2, No. 9 St. Louis (Mo.) 1
Tuesday’s Games
No. 8 Darton (Ga.) State 4, No. 12 Muskegon (Mich.) 0
No. 7 Laramie (Wyo.) 3, No. 11 Louisburg (N.C.) 2
No. 6 Monroe (N.Y.) 7, No. 10 Lake County 0
No. 5 Tyler 4, No. 9 St. Louis (Mo.) 1
Wednesday’s Games
No. 1 Brevard (Fla.) vs. No. 8 Darton (Ga.) State, 8 a.m.
No. 2 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) vs. No. 7 Laramie (Wyo.), 10:30 a.m.
No. 3 Iowa Western vs. No. 6 Monroe (N.Y.), 1 p.m.
No. 4 Butler (Kan.) vs. No. 5 Tyler, 3:0 p.m.
Men’s Division I
At Albany, Ga.
Monday’s Games
No. 4 Tyler 2, No. 9 Marshalltown (Iowa) 0
No. 2 Monroe (N.Y.) 3, No. 11 Oakton (Ill.) 0
No. 3 Louisburg (N.C.) 4, No. 10 Northwest (Wyo.) 0
No. 1 Darton (Ga.) vs. No. 12 Western Wyoming
Tuesday’s Games
No. 6 Cincinnati State 2, No. 10 Northwest (Wyo.) 0
No. 7 Illinois Central 2, No. 11 Oakton (Ill.) 0
No. 12 Western Wyoming 3, No. 8 Western Texas 1
No. 9 Marshalltown (Iowa) 2, No. 5 Jefferson (Mo.) 1
Wednesday’s Games
No. 1 Darton State (Ga.) vs. No. 8 Western Texas, noon
No. 3 Louisburg (N.C.) vs. No. 6 Cincinnati State, 2:30 p.m.
No. 2 Monroe (N.Y.) vs. No. 7 Illinois Central, 4 p.m.
No. 4 Tyler vs. No. 5 Jefferson (Mo.), 6:30 p.m.