Reiver Women's Soccer team explodes late in opening win at NJCAA Nationals

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FOLEY, Alabama – After falling behind, third-seeded Iowa Western exploded for five goals in a 14-minute span of the second half to overtake 10th-seeded Paradise Valley (Arizona) 5-1 in its first group-play match on Wednesday at the NJCAA national women's soccer tournament.

Paradise Valley opened the scoring in the 65th minute on a goal by Karina Martinez, and that seemed to trigger something in the Reivers. They answered with two goals in the next two minutes, both by Paige Moser.

Then came goals 38 seconds apart in the 71st minute from Kauany Sousa and Anyeli Solarte, and another by Alex Boss in the 80th minute.

The Reiver coach said his team's start to the match wasn't great, but it also isn't that uncommon at the national tournament.

"We just played a little bit tight in the first half,'' he said. "I think we were too afraid to make the mistake. I don't think we've faced anything with their pace and speed and how they put us under pressure.''

Moser's first goal came after a cross from Laura Chavez, which was her 30th assist of the season.

"(Moser) just kind of flew in there and was determined to get on the end of that cross,'' Sanchez said.

Moser's second goal came after a throw-in from Kauany Sousa.

The Iowa Western coach praised the play of Solarte off the bench.

"Probably the best 20 minutes I've seen her play all year,'' he said.

Sanchez also singled out the efforts of Moriah Lucas and Ashley Overberg.

Iowa Western will finish group play on Wednesday against sixth-seeded Navarro. A victory will send the Reivers into the national semifinals.

"We've just got to play a little bit more composed than we did today,'' Sanchez said.

Paradise Valley (18-5-1)  0 1 | 1

Iowa Western (17-2)       0 5 | 5

Goals: PV, Karina Martinez; IW, Paige Moser 2, Kauany Sousa, Anyeli Solarte, Alex Boss. Assist: IW, Laura Chavez, Sousa, Ashley Overberg, Moriah Lucas.