From Jimmie Athletics

The University of Jamestown women’s soccer team opened the quarterfinals of the GPAC postseason tournament with a 3-1 comeback victory over Doane (Neb.) Wednesday evening at the Jimmie Turf Field.

Jamestown (13-4-2) will host Midland (Neb.) Saturday at 1 p.m. in the semifinals. Midland defeated Dordt (Iowa) 3-1 in another quarterfinal matchup Wednesday. UJ and Midland played on September 15 in Jamestown with the Jimmies winning 2-1.

It was the Tigers who struck first, with Michaela Thompson scoring the eighth minute. As the Jimmie defense passed the ball back to keeper Anna Cole (FR/Laurel, Mont.), Celeste Gavin challenged Cole and forced the ball back towards Thompson. Thompson then took advantage of Cole unable to make a diving save and Doane had the early lead.

UJ responded in the 17th minute as Miarosa Gyllenswan (SO/Menifee, Calif.) played a ball just on the other side of midfield through to Kassandra Noguera (FR/Anaheim, Calif.). Noguera got the ball in stride 25 yards from goal, took a dribble past the defender, and put the ball into the left side of the net.

The go-ahead goal for Jamestown came in the 50th minute from Gaby Sarkis (SO/Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia). Gyllenswan again helped create the scoring chance, finding Sarkis across the half-line, and Sarkis did the rest. Streaking past two Tiger defenders, Sarkis then got past keeper Grayce Southern and flicked the ball in for her tenth goal of the season.

Ryley Bedard (SR/Long Beach, Calif.)’s 70th minute cross from the right side of the 18-yard box ended up being the insurance goal the Jimmies needed. The ball had just enough height to find the top left corner, out of Southern’s reach and into the net.

Cole made six saves in earning her first career win. Jamestown outshot Doane 22-11 while the Tigers had a 7-6 edge in shots on goal.