TIGERS ADVANCE TO THE NAIA'S SECOND ROUND IN DRAMATIC FASHION

PULASKI, Tenn. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University stays alive in the NAIA National Tournament with late-game drama as the three-seed Tigers upset the No. 12, and two-seeded, SCAD Savannah Bees 2-1 in the First Round. Melea Miller and Tyra Gomes combined to provide the tying goal and the go-ahead score in the final five minutes of regulation to see ONU extend their season to Saturday.

SCAD opened their scoring account in the 13^th minute. The Bees' Abigail Siddall provided the assist to Sydney Chura for the opening score. The Tigers had to weather the storm as the Bees brought relentless pressure looking to score their second. They outshot the Tigers 8-2 with SCAD putting five shots on frame to ONU's zero.

Tessa Kowalski stood on her head for big saves to maintain the one-goal difference. The sophomore netminder made a game-high nine saves on the night. Her biggest moment came in the 32^nd minute as SCAD broke the back line and put a shot on frame toward the far post. Kowalski went full-stretch to her right to get two hands on the ball and parry it away from danger.

The Tigers flipped the script in the second half as they searched for the equalizer. ONU outshot SCAD 8-4 in the second period with six shots on frame. The breakthrough came with just 4:08 left on the clock as Miller sprung the back line and darted along the left sideline driving into the penalty area. She rolled a ball to the top of the six-yard box for Gomes to finish first-time.

ONU did not settle for overtime and sprung for the late game-winner. Miller corralled a bouncing ball inside the Bees' box, took a touch towards the middle of the goal, and scored at the near post to give Olivet their first lead of the match with only 90 seconds left in the match.

Tonight's victory marked the program's first win in the NAIA National Tournament since 2013. They have gotten over the first-round hump after getting eliminated in the first round on their last three trips (2019, 2017, and 2014).

WHAT'S NEXT

The three-seeded Tigers will advance to the second round of the tournament to play the host, the one-seed, and reigning NAIA National Champions, Tennessee Southern Eagles this Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. The winner of that match will advance to the NAIA National Championship series from Nov.29-Dec. 5. Please visit onutigers.com for all the updated links to follow the action.

--ONU—

*Contact: Patrick Kaindl; Sports Information Director, email pkaindl@olivet.edu