October 22, 2026
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The tenth goal of the year for Isabella Hodson in the 32nd minute proved to be the game-winner as No. 8 Truett McConnell (13-1-1, 10-0 AAC) held onto a 2-1 score over Reinhardt (8-5-1, 5-3-1 AAC) Wednesday evening at the TMU Soccer Complex.
With the win, TMU clinches the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season championship for the fifth year in a row, a streak that dates back to 2022. It also gives the team an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament for the ninth consecutive year.
Hodson's goal was two of the three total points by the senior in the game as she assisted on Evangelina Seidel's goal in the 24th minute. Joanna Funes also added an assist on Hodson's goal.
TMU totaled eight shots with four on target while the Eagles converted on their lone opportunity with a goal in the 80th minute. The home team had three corner kicks compared to Reinhardt's one, while the Eagles had fewer fouls with four to Truett's five. Funes was the lone caution collector with a yellow card at 88:42.
Both teams went over 23 minutes into the first half without a single shot before Seidel's strike in the 24th gave the Lady Bears a 1-0 lead. The score was the junior's first of the season.
A corner kick chance for TMU presented itself in the 28th minute, but no shot was recorded. With a pass on the right side by Funes, Hodson buried the kick to the top left corner of the net, providing Truett with the decisive 2-0 lead. An on-goal shot by Funes, which was saved by the keeper, was the only action for the remainder of the half as the home team carried a two-score lead into the break.
The Lady Bears opened the second half with a collective pair of shots by Funes and Seidel, both attempts being off-target. Hodson powered her second shot of the game in the 62nd minute, but the ball sailed high over the net. Funes had a far-away shot which was turned away by the goalie to keep it a 2-0 game.
Off a corner kick by Reinhardt, Addison Attaway made the most of her scoring chance and put the Eagles on the board 2-1. It was the first goal allowed by the Lady Bears since August 31 and the first all season allowed at home.
Despite the score putting the away team within one, the TMU defense shut down any chances for the rest of the match, resulting in the 2-1 victory.
The Lady Bears are back on the pitch next Wednesday with a 5 p.m. start time vs. Johnson on Oct. 28 at the TMU Soccer Complex.
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