JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct 29, 2023) – Faced with the task of a veteran Samford team in their element in a high-stakes game, a young ETSU women's soccer team saw the end of its beginning. 
  
ETSU fell 2-0 to reigning Southern Conference tournament champion Samford at Summers-Taylor Stadium on Sunday in the 2023 SoCon Women's Soccer Championship Semifinal, bringing an end to a spectacular season. 
  
Samford got on the board in the 21st minute when Jennifer Seward threaded a cross to Mia Wehby at the penalty spot. Wehby backheeled the ball to herself for a turn and shot that rocketed inside the right post to put the Bulldogs (12-3-5) ahead of the Buccaneers (11-3-5).  
  
Kyla Reynolds put the finishing touch on the scoreline in the 59th minute when Brigid McElderry threaded a pass through the defense and Reynolds made an explosive run past the outside defender. Reynolds dragged the ball around an aggressive Ashton Blair and fired it into the heart of the net to put Samford out of reach for the Bucs. 
  
Samford outshot ETSU 15-6 and mustered six shots on goal to two. Ava Matherne led individual Bucs with two shots.
 
The Buccaneers end their season with their most wins and best home record since 2016 and broke the school records for shutouts in a season (11), fewest goals conceded in a season (10), longest shutout streak (640 minutes), and fewest losses (3). Their 11 wins are tied for the sixth-most in a season in ETSU history and most since 2016. Ten starters and 16 of the 18 players who played in the match have eligibility remaining for 2024. 
  
For more information on ETSU women's soccer, go to ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's soccer tab.