Early tally helps No. 16 Jacksonville defeat D.H. Conley to claim conference title
Jacksonville and D.H. Conley knew that a goal was going to be hard to come by in Thursday's battle for the outright Big East Conference championship.
The Cardinals found it five minutes into the match, and hung on for the next 75, to defeat the Vikings 1-0.
Conley entered the match having posted a clean sheet in seven of its last eight. Landyn Wessels navigated down the sideline and sent a ball to the foot of Ryder Perry who finished off her 12th goal of the season to break the ice.
While Jacksonville was able to keep its pressure in the attacking third for much of the first half, the slim advantage held through the break.
The Vikings earned nearly a half dozen free kicks in the final 40, but was unable to put a ball on frame. Jacksonville's back line of Azumi Oka, Aubrianna Martin, Macey Helmstetter, and keeper Reagan Donnelly turned away each and every through ball that D.H. Conley attempted.
In the closing minutes, the Cardinals remained dominant. A late attack squashed any hope of a Viking comeback, and milked the clock to secure another conference title.
Jacksonville will be the top 3A seed from the conference when Friday's brackets are released. The Cardinals hold a record of 14-1-4 overall.
D.H. Conley 14-4-1, and will enter the postseason as the top 4A seed from the league.
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