MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Women's Soccer was in action on Saturday afternoon for their Southern Athletic Association quarterfinal match with the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels, where they took advantage of a hot start to the second half, winning it 2-1.  

The first half was a defensive battle, as neither team could push the ball through the back of the net. Both teams were able to get some momentum going with a total of six shots in the first half from the Vikings and 8 from Oglethorpe. The Vikings also had key players go down with injuries in the first half, as they had to play the second half without Nicole Knight and Mia Ries. 

The Vikings came out on a mission in the second half. In the 46th minute, Ide Strickland orchestrated a beautiful corner kick that was flawlessly headed into the back of the net by Chloe Benoist. As the crowd went wild, you could feel the energy shift in favor of Berry.  

Five minutes later, another corner kick would prove to be productive for the Vikings as a couple of passes following the corner would lead Maddie Owen to find herself with space just outside the penalty box. Owen then sent in a marvelous shot, just over the outstretched arms of the Oglethorpe goalkeeper and into the net, giving the Vikings a commanding 2-0 lead.  

Oglethorpe finally answered with 31 minutes to go in the second half, cutting the Berry lead to 1. This would be as close as the Stormy Petrels would come, as the Vikings controlled the final thirty minutes with strong defensive plays from Olivia Bryan, Annie Connors, and Kelsie Crosier.  

The Vikings will advance to the SAA Semifinals to take on the Rhodes Lynx in Sewanee, Tennessee, on Friday November 8th. With a win there, the Vikings can advance to the SAA Championship game.