COLUMBUS, Ohio – A third minute goal, combined with two goals in the final four minutes of action did the job for the Capital University women's soccer team in the OAC Semifinals on Thursday evening. Capital got goals from Sophia Leonetti, Lizzie Elliott and Avery Hart to lift the team into their first OAC Tournament final since 2017. 

Capital will now host Ohio Northern on Saturday, November 5th at 1 p.m. inside Bernlohr Stadium. The Polar Bears defeated Otterbein in their semifinal match-up on Thursday in penalty kicks after ending regulation and overtime tied 0-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets wasted no time by garnering control of the game by finding a goal just 2:12 into the game. The goal came in an all-too-familiar way for Capital as Madeline Woodruff served in a corner that found the head of Sophia Leonetti. There, Leonetti nodded in her fifth goal in the past three games – all of which have come in one way or another off a corner kick from Woodruff. 

From the goal, Capital maintained the lion's share of possession and chances across the first half. Despite 17 shot attempts before the break, John Carroll's goalkeeper was forced into just three saves as many of those Comet shots drifted wide or high of goal.  

Out of the halftime intermission, John Carroll spent the first 40 minutes of the second half pressing to get a goal back and keep their season alive. Even with the lion's share of possession, Capital stood tall and Lauren White made both saves she was called to make in the goal. 

As Capital stood firm and defended their lead, the team eventually put the icing on the cake and celebrated their great effort in style as the offense put two goals away in the final 4:10 of the game. First Lizzie Elliott took a long pass and carried the ball 30 yards toward goal. As the Blue Streaks' defense sat back, Elliott carried the ball to the top of the box and unleashed a strong shot to the left side of the goal to double the Comet lead. 

If the Elliott goal wasn't enough, Capital put the cherry on top with just 36 seconds left as Avery Hart and Nicole Ogden played a one-two in the penalty area. Hart was the benefactor as she took the pass from Ogden and uncorked a rocket of a left footed shot to the upper 90 to cap off the game in style. 

THE NUMBERS
Capital keeps their season going with their 12th win of the season, their most in a single year since 2019 when they won 14 games. 

Tonight's result was Capital's second 3-0 win over the Blue Streaks this season and Avery Hart's goal was her fourth against John Carroll this year. She netted a hat-trick in the regular season fixture in University Heights. 

Lauren White recorded her 16th career shutout and her fourth individual clean sheet of the season. With her two saves tonight, she now has made 150 career saves in her time at Capital. 

UP NEXT
Capital will now host the OAC Tournament Final at Bernlohr Stadium on Saturday, November 5th at 1 p.m. The Comets will welcome Ohio Northern to Bernlohr Stadium for the second time this season. In the regular season, Capital and ONU played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday, October 8th.