Wofford 2, Georgia Southern 1
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Wofford women's soccer team scored twice in the first half before withstanding a second-half Georgia Southern aggressive offensive attack in the second half and a driving rain storm the entire contest to earn a 2-1 Southern Conference victory Friday evening at Snyder Field in Spartanburg, S.C. The win also keeps the Terriers league tournament hopes alive entering the final day of play Sunday.
Wofford (6-7-3, 3-5-1 SoCon) came out with a fast pace to start the game and nearly scored the game's first goal just eight minutes in when three shots in a row were sent towards the Lady Eagle cage. Jessica Connett had the first attempt before a rebound by Natalie Ferrara came right back to her and her second shot sailed just off the crossbar.
Connett finally did find the back of the net a short time later, at 10:14, when she drilled the ball into the upper left corner and far post from 30 yards out on an assist from Rachel Hyatt.
Hyatt was on the helping end again for the Terriers' second tally when, standing near the midfield line, fed Kendra Merchant along the right side. Merchant took the pass and controlled the ball by herself, while weaving through the Georgia Southern (7-10-1, 5-5 SoCon) defense for nearly 25 yards and sending a shot past Lauren Santos to give Wofford a two-goal advantage at 31:38.
The Terriers held the 2-0 lead at halftime with an 11-4 shot edge.
In the second half, the Lady Eagles responded similar to the way Wofford had started the contest. Georgia Southern pushed forward on numerous occasions and outshot the home team in the second frame, 12-1.
The Lady Eagles managed to put their own mark on the scoreboard early in the second half. Katie Gosnell sent a corner kick to the near post finding the head of Ashley Toussaint. Toussaint's header slipped just inside the post to bring the margin to one at 50:27.
A defensive effort by the Terriers kept Georgia Southern off the board again with the Lady Eagles' last chance coming just under a minute remaining when Austin Somers smothered a crossing attempt before another shot could be taken.
With the victory, Wofford must win or tie Appalachian State Sunday to have a chance of reaching the Southern Conference Tournament next week. The Terriers also need a Western Carolina triumph over Elon coupled with controlling their own destiny to clinch a spot in the eight-team field. Today's game served as the regular-season finale for Georgia Southern.
Also prior to Sunday's meeting with the Mountaineers, Wofford will honor its three seniors: Connett, Bernie Sikes and Somers as part of Senior Day festivities.
UNC Greensboro 6, The Citadel 0
Charleston, S.C. ? The Citadel and UNC Greensboro kicked off one of the last games of the season Friday afternoon at WLI Field despite steady rain and a wet field as The Citadel honored their two seniors in the Bulldogs’ home finale. UNC Greensboro took home the 6-0 victory in the two teams’ second-to-last regular season game of the year.
During halftime, The Citadel honored seniors Kelly Hasselman and Holli Knox. Both seniors have been with the program since 2003 and have contributed greatly to Bulldog Soccer.
“It has been a privilege to work with both Holli and Kelly as they are both outstanding people that have done so much for the Women’s Soccer Program here at The Citadel,” said head coach Bob Winch. “Their daily efforts and leadership will help them a great deal in becoming successful in all of their future endeavors.”
The outcome of the match was in line with the outcome of the weather as Greensboro, who has clinched the regular season title in the Southern Conference, easily took the 6-0 win. The Spartans got on the board early as Heather Mitrisin scored her first goal of the season in the seventh minute off a rebound.
The Bulldog defense held off UNCG’s attack for almost 30 minutes before UNCG’s Jennifer Bronson netted her third goal of the season from 10 yards out, sending it above the hands of The Citadel’s Brit Bunnell. That goal, coming in the 34th minute, gave Greensboro the 2-0 advantage.
UNCG scored less than two minutes later when Shannon Donovan received a pass from Jessie Jay and broke away from The Citadel defenders, firing a shot past Bunnell from 15 yards out that became her fifth goal of the season.
Greensboro again scored two goals in less than three minutes to start the second half, giving the Spartans a 5-0 lead. Bronson scored her second goal of the match while UNCG’s Amanda Olson put her first goal of the season in the net shortly thereafter. The Spartan’s Carolyn Lindsay put Greensboro’s final goal in during the 58th minute of play, a shot from 15 yards out that stayed on the rain-soaked ground.
Bunnell, the junior from Barbertown, Ohio, recorded 10 saves in the match. The Citadel registered five shots in the match, four of which came in the second half. Greensboro had nine corner kicks in the match, compared to The Citadel’s one.
The Citadel closes out their season Sunday as they travel to Greenville, S.C. to take on the Furman Paladins at 2 p.m. For complete coverage of Bulldog Soccer, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.