MONTGOMERY, Ala. - In its last home game of the year, Faulkner delivered a crucial 1-0 SSAC victory over Blue Mountain with a clutch finish from
Ainsley Lockwood propped up a stellar defensive performance anchored by nine saves in a shutout from Keila Cardeiro and a well-executed defensive effort from the team.
The decisive moment came in the 74th minute when
Ashlei Bryant picked off a misguided backpass from the Toppers and laced a picture perfect through ball to the captain who took a weak-footed, first touch shot from the left side of the box to the right side of the goal. Lockwood's third goal of the season was enough thanks to a strong defensive performance.
From the early offset of the match, Faulkner absorbed pressure and handled every challenge thrown its way from the Blue Mountain offense highlighted by a stunning save in the 54th minute from Cardeiro to keep the match scoreless.
The first half had few moments of inspiration from an outside perspective but was highlighted by a Lockwood chance that beat the keeper but was swept away by BMC center back Larisa Mercado in the 33rd.
Blue Mountain outshot Faulkner 19-10 and placed three more shots on goal, but the Lady Eagles limited big chances and made most of the opposing shots tough to do much with.
Faulkner now sits four points behind eighth place Middle Georgia for the final SSAC tournament spot with the Knights left to watch scores. The Lady Eagles have two matches remaining and will travel to Brewton-Parker Wednesday to complete the match before traveling to Mobile to wrap up the SSAC slate with the loss to Middle Georgia earlier this year, Faulkner will need to win both matches to make the field of eight.
Before that match, Faulkner will travel to LaGrange for a non conference match on Monday.
