NEWBERRY - For the first time in school history, the Newberry College women's soccer team has punched its ticket to the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament semifinal match after a 2-1 win over Mars Hill College.

The fourth-seeded Wolves scored two second half goals in a five minute span to overcome a 1-0 first half deficit and keep their SAC tournament championship dreams alive.

“Despite struggling earlier in the season this is what we came out and worked hard all year for,” said an emotional Newberry head coach Karrie Miller after the game. “I told the girls this is the conference tournament, we're here and that's all that matters now and they came out and made history and I couldn't be prouder of them.”

After giving up a go ahead goal just before the intermission to fifth-seeded Mars Hill (9-7-2) freshman Caitlin Foreman (Ridgecrest, N.C.), Newberry (5-12-1) tied the game at one each when junior Jesse Langdon (Raleigh, N.C.) blasted in an Amberly Fowler (Greenville, S.C.) pass from 10 yards out at the 50 minute mark.

Forward Tiffany Kinner (North Myrtle Beach, S.C.) then sent in her first and biggest goal of the year as she took a pass from Cassie Smith (Lyman, S.C.) and chipped it over Lions goalkeeper Chelsea Parker (Richmond, Va.) for the game winner in the 55th minute.

The Wolves defense held strong during the win, allowing just seven shots and four on goal to the Lions. The scarlet and gray also kept the conference's leading goal scorer Abby Martin (Greer, S.C.) in check, not allowing a single shot from the Mars Hill senior.

Megan Hrenchir (Lawrence, Kan.) started and played the full 90 minutes in goal for Newberry, saving three shots during the game and keeping the Wolves lead intact in the 77th minute with back-to-back diving saves.

Newberry took 12 shots during the quarterfinal matchup, five on goal, with Langdon leading the way with two attempts, both on goal. Ashley Reetz (Summerville, S.C.), Lora Moore (Raleigh, N.C.) and Smith each finished with two shots.

The Wolves will now travel to Rock Hill, S.C., to take on the winner of the Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Lincoln Memorial contest. The game will be played at Manchester Meadows and is set for 3 p.m. Friday.