FOLEY, Ala. – For the fourth time in six seasons, #1 William Carey Women's Soccer will play for the national championship as they defeated the UT-Southern 7-3 Monday morning in the semi-finals of the NAIA National Championship.
 
The Firehawks got off to a quick start, netting two goals in less than 20 minutes to start the game.  The two goal lead would not last long, as Mariangela Jimenez put Carey on the board with a goal in the 19^th minute.
 
That goal would spark the Lady Crusader offense, as they would take a 3-2 lead into the break.  Fernanda Pena Nieto would tie the game at two with a goal in the 24^th minute and Virginia Mesa would give WCU the lead that they would never give up, converting a penalty kick less than a minute later.
 
The Carey offense continued their attack into the second half with Christina Salmon making it 4-2 in the 65^th minute.  Less than a minute later Alexis Arnoult fired a brilliant shot from the left side into the top right corner of the goal to put WCU up by three.
 
The final goals for the lady Crusaders would come from Jimenez, as she beat a UTS defender and fired home a shot in the 69^th minute, and Arnoult headed home a corner kick in the 82^nd minute.  The Firehawks would tack on the final goal of the game in the 84^th minute.
 
Carey is back in action tomorrow, as they take on the winner out of Cumberlands (Ky.) and Spring Arbor (Mich.).  Kick-off is slated for 12:05 pm at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.