2017-18 PBC YEARBOOK
Women’s Soccer
UNCP WINS FIRST PBC WOMEN’S SOCCER TOURNAMENT TITLE
EVANS, GA – UNC Pembroke’s Christine Rolfes converted a penalty kick 20 mintues after the
opening kick and that proved to be enough as the Braves captured their first PBC women’s soccer
tournament championship 1-0 over #10 Columbus State on Sunday in Evans. With that win, UNCP is
awarded the Peach Belt’s automatic bid to next week’s NCAA Tournament.
The goal came about from UNCP’s counter-strike offense. Christine Rolfes broke away after a
Braves defensive stand and was tripped inside the 18-yard box. Rolfes, a junior from Concord, N.C.,
delivered the penalty kick attempt on the ground to the right side. CSU goalkeeper Bria Riancho was
able to partially deflect the shot, but it ricocheted off the post and into the net.
The remaining 70 minutes of the game were spent primarily with CSU trying to answer and the
Braves turning them away. CSU outshot UNC Pembroke 25-4 in the game, including 16-2 in the
second half. The Cougars’ best chance at equalizing the game came with 30 minutes left when a shot
clanged off the crossbar and the follow-up was smothered by UNCP keeper Gina Ryan.
Ryan made seven saves in the game and was named the tournament Most Valuable Player. Riancho
made one save for CSU.
The Cougars, who entered the game leading all of NCAA Division II in scoring offense, was shut out
for the first time this season.
UNC Pembroke will return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010, making their
third overall appearance. The Braves become only the second PBC team to win the conference
tournament with three straight shutouts. UNCP is the first team in league history to win three 1-0
games in the tournament.
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