Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven Women's Soccer team gave No. 5 William Carey all they could handle before succumbing to the Crusaders 3-0 in Southern States Athletic Conference action Saturday night at H.T. Newell Field. The Blazers just didn't have enough firepower to overcome a tough Crusaders team.

Belhaven came out of the gates showing that they wouldn't be intimidated by the highly touted Crusaders (14-3-1), pressing the William Carey defense from the opening kick-off. However, the Carey defense held firm and kept the Blazers (6-12) from progressing the ball deep into their territory.

In the 8^th minute of the game, the Crusaders defense turned a mistake by the Blazers into their first scoring opportunity.
Midfielder Emmaleigh Davis collected the cleared ball just over the halfway line before passing it on to forward Tori McDevitt. McDevitt was closely marked by a Belhaven defender, but was able to squirm free of the defense and put a strike towards the net.

The ball cleared over the outstretched arms of Belhaven keeper Nicole Walsh, into the top right corner of the goal for a 1-0 William Carey lead.

The offense didn't stop there for the Crusaders, as they had another golden opportunity to lengthen their lead. William Carey had a four -on-two attack, but Walsh made a great sliding save to keep the game from getting out of hand.
The game took a turn in the 17^th minute when Walsh came far outside of the net to stop a breakaway by McDevitt. A hard collision between the two players left McDevitt on the turf for a few minutes before she was carried off the field with the help of Belhaven training staff. The forward would not return to the game due to a leg injury.

Due to the nature of the foul, a free kick was given to the Crusaders once play resumed and they didn't let the opportunity go to waste.

Davis got on the scoreboard for the second time, but this time as the goal scorer. The midfielder took the free kick from just outside of the 18-yard box, putting the ball in a place where Walsh never had a chance.
William Carey took a 2-0 advantage to halftime.

With 30 minutes remaining in the game, the Crusaders were able to add an insurance goal from Bridget Dennis. The goal was assisted by Malin Barrulf.

Belhaven had two opportunities to get on the scoreboard in the final ten minutes of the game, but were rebuffed by William Carey keeper Linfa Jones both times to remain scoreless.

Belhaven will head to Lee University Saturday for the opening round of the SSAC Tournament in Cleveland, TN. The Blazers are the eighth seed while the four time defending national champion Flames enter the postseason as the number one seed. Saturday's game time is yet to be announced.