Box Score

PENSACOLA, Fla.- West Alabama women's soccer junior's Nicki Gears and Lydia Sutcliffe each posted second half goals to lead the Tigers to a 2-0 victory over North Alabama in the quarter-final round of the Gulf South Conference tournament on Thursday.

"I thought the ladies were definitely class tonight," said UWA head women's soccer coach Graeme Orr.

"From the first whistle we played great football and forced them into some mistakes. They are a great team with some really great attackers and they showed that. Our defense was outstanding and we had great support up front with Nicki, Kirsten and Katy. This was our best performance since I have been here."

The victory marks the first for West Alabama (11-7; 5-5 GSC) in the post-season in program history as well as the first shut-out victory of its in-state rival North Alabama (8-8-2; 4-4-2).  The Tiger's held the Lions to no shots on-goal in the first half, while posting five. They led UNA 10-4 with shots on-goal for the total match.

Gears, the 2013 Co-Player of the Year, recorded her 13^th season goal in the 66^th minute on a pass from Natalie Perry. The goal gives Gears six game-winning goals on the season and upholds her as the conference's leading scorer.

Sutcliffe's goal came by way of a pass from Rianna Gurvitz in the 72^nd minute. Sutcliffe, an All-GSC first team honoree improves to the team's second leading scorer with eight goals this season.

UWA starting freshman goalkeeper Issy Foster (10-6) posted three saves, marking her sixth shutout of the season; the most in the conference.  

The Tigers will continue to the semi-final round on Friday to take on regular season conference champions West Florida. The match is set for 4:30 p.m. in Brosnaham Park.