BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University soccer team advanced to the finals of the Southern Conference Tournament for a fourth-straight season with a 1-0 win over Mercer Sunday afternoon at Shauna Yelton Field.
 
In next Sunday's championship game, Samford will host UNC Greensboro, who took down the top seed Chattanooga, 2-1 in overtime Sunday. Samford now has a record of 11-3-6 on the season. Mercer's season ends with a mark of 10-4-6.
 
"We've got a bunch of good kids," Samford head coach Todd Yelton said. "They have great heart and get to play for a great university. That was a hard game, I thought Mercer played really great. It got a little physical there at the end, which probably played more to them, but fair play to them."
 
Samford got off to a fast start again as Whitaker Buchanan netted a goal in the seventh minute for a 1-0 Bulldog lead. Mercer had several chances to score down the stretch, but Samford goalkeeper Emma Donley and the Bulldog defense kept the Bears scoreless as Samford held on for the win.
 
"I don't think anybody on this team has more fans than Emma Donley," Yelton said. "The kids love her, she works her tail end off and I'm super proud of her. That whole back line did a great job to keep that group off the board in the conditions we played in today."
 
Buchanan led the team with three shots, including two on goal. Taylor Yount and Layton Glisson had two shots apiece. Donley saved six shots to earn her fifth solo shutout since taking over for the injured Morgan McAslan at midseason. Mercer's Nicole Isen led the Bears with seven shots, four on goal.
 
Next Sunday's championship game between Samford and UNC Greensboro is set for a 1 p.m. start from Shauna Yelton Field.


 


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For the latest news and information on Samford women's soccer, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordSoccer (Instagram) and @SamfordSoccer (Twitter).