College of Charleston Postponed
Today’s kickoff classic games have been postponed due to inclement weather. The game between Stetson and VCU will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, with the FAU/College of Charleston game scheduled to follow at approximately 11 a.m.
Georgia Southern 2, Mercer 1
MACON, Ga. ? Freshman Laura Smith’s golden goal just over five minutes into overtime pushed the Georgia Southern women’s soccer team to a 2-1 season-opening win over Mercer Friday night at Bears Field.
Smith’s (Buford, Ga.) scoring tally capped off a rally for the Eagles, who found themselves down 1-0 early in the second half. It marked just the second time in three seasons under head coach Ashley Hart the
team rallied from a deficit to win (East Tennessee State, 2004).
I’m very proud of our team,” Hart said after the match. “We could have given up, but we didn’t. It was a total team effort, we received contributions from everyone out there. I’m really proud of how we fought. I think we were the more fit team and we wanted it more. I saw a desire to win, which was great.”
Mercer (0-1) controlled most of the first half, firing nine shots to Georgia Southern's two. However, the Bears only managed three shots on goal during the opening frame.
The second half was a different story, as Mercer opened up quickly. The Bears opened the stanza with possession, which led to several scoring opportunities. After a deflected clear attempt, Erin Theobald found Meghan Castaldo to put Mercer on the board at the 50:17 mark. Castaldo headed the ball past
GSU goalkeeper Lauren Santos (Berwyn, Ill.) and benefited from a deflection off the crossbar to put the ball home.
"I think the ball deflected out, but Castaldo did a nice job of getting her head on the ball," said Mercer head coach Grant Serafy.
Georgia Southern (1-0) knotted the match at 1-1 in the 65th minute when Jamie Carraway (Hampton, Va.) found Kate Boardman (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) following a turnover in the Mercer end.
Both squads had opportunities to score, but the evenly matched teams went into overtime. Midway through the first overtime period, a bad clear landed the ball at the feet of GSU's Smith who scored the match winner for the visitors in the 96th minute.
"We just were not fit," said Serafy. "Our problem was not our defense; it was our fitness. Georgia Southern was a fitter team and it showed. We also need somebody who will hold the ball up top and another player who can dominate in the midfield."
Kansas 3, Furman 0
Lawrence, Kan. - Three different Jayhawks tallied goals on Friday as the University of Kansas opened the 2006 season with a 3-0 triumph over Furman at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
KU's Sara Rogers and Monica Dolinsky both collected their first career goals, while senior Lacey Novak notched her first tally since her freshman year. Sophomore goalkeeper Julie Hanley made a pair of first-half saves to earn the shutout for Kansas.
The Jayhawks had a handful of scoring opportunities early on, but didn't capitalize until Rogers buried a shot from 15 yards out on the far side of the box at the 41:09 mark. The play was set up by senior Nikki Alvarez'
pass, which gave Rogers position around the Furman defense.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Kansas struck again. This time Dolinsky beat the Lady Paladin defense with a shot from inside the box. Juniors Afton Sauer and Emily Strinden were credited with assists on the play.
In the 59th minute, KU closed out the scoring when senior Holly Gault sent a pass through the defense, finding Novak for the senior forward's second career goal. It was also Gault's 13th career assist.
The Jayhawks controlled the pace for much of the way, outshooting Furman
25-4 and holding a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks. Gault led the charge with five shots, while Novak and Missy Geha chipped in four each.
Furman returns to action Wednesday when it travels to Gardner-Webb for a 7:00 p.m. contest.
Chattanooga 2, Arkansas State 1
JONESBORO, Ark. -- Sophomore striker Nikki Brannen scored the first goal of the season for the Lady Mocs for the second consecutive year and led Chattanooga to a 2-1 victory over the Arkansas State Indians at Indian Soccer Park in the season opener for both teams Friday afternoon.
“Any first win is a great one,” Lady Mocs head coach J.D. Kyzer said. “We have a lot of youth on this team and they are playing their hearts out.”
Brannen stole the ball from the Indian defense and knocked in the shot from the top of the penalty box in the 67th minute to give the Lady Mocs a 1-0 advantage. Chattanooga quickly built on the lead with a goal from freshman Brandie Skipworth just over five minutes later that would prove to be the game winner. Freshman Marlee Jenkins hit a cross that deflected off classmate Chelsea Hurst to the toe of Skipworth and the Lady Mocs led 2-0.
The Indians (0-1) got to within one on a goal from Jessie Zingo, assisted by Katharine Krekler at the 76:49 mark, but the Lady Mocs would hold the lead to go to 1-0 on the year.
Arkansas State outshot the Lady Mocs 14-11. Brannen tallied five shots with three on goal while freshman Chelsea Hurst bombarded the net four times with three on goal. Senior keeper Stacey Matthiessen recorded five saves for Chattanooga and ASU keeper Kelly Goodman had six.
UTC will open the home portion of its schedule with a 2 p.m. meeting Sunday afternoon at the North River Soccer Complex against Eastern Kentucky.
Elon 2, Campbell 0
ELON, N.C. -- Lizz Johnson had to make only two saves in goal and Elon saw Ashley Condon and Tina Longo each net goals as the Phoenix knocked off the visiting Campbell Fighting Camels 2-0 in women's soccer action from Rudd Field on Friday afternoon in the season opener for both teams. Elon is now 1-0-0 while Campbell sits at 0-1-0.
Condon struck for Elon's first goal when Jaclyn Immordino sent a corner into the box and through the keeper's outstretched arms to Condon who found the back of the net in the 40th minute.
Campbell managed only four shots to Elon's nine over the entire 90 minutes.
Samar Azem allowed all two Phoenix scores and made four saves for Campbell.
Elon will play host to Old Dominion on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. while Campbell will host East Carolina on Monday at 7:00 p.m.
UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State 0
BOONE, N.C. - The Appalachian State University women?s soccer fell in its season opener, dropping a 1-0 decision to visiting UNC Wilmington Friday afternoon at the ASU Soccer Stadium. The two teams played more than 70 minutes of scoreless soccer before the Seahawks lit up the scoreboard on a deflected shot that was booted in.
The first part of the opening half was controlled largely by UNCW before the Mountaineers stepped up and put four shots on goal against a quick and talented UNCW side before halftime. The match remained scoreless in the second half until the 71st minute when Maddy Bullington drilled a shot on goal that a diving Emma White (Arden, N.C.) kept out of the upper near corner. However, White wasn?t able to corral the rebound before Jessica Stalling tucked it just inside the near post from three yards out.
Appalachian threatened multiple times throughout the match with solid runs, but wasn?t able to finish on its scoring chances. Two freshmen had impressive debuts for the Apps as White, the goalkeeper, made eight saves, while Caroline Lowe (Raleigh, N.C.) led the team with four shots. Bullington paced the Seahawks with six shots while keeper Emily Pratt stopped all four shots she faced.
The Mountaineers will take to the road for their next three matches starting on September 2 versus Coastal Carolina in Charleston, S.C. The match is the first game of the Big South Challenge. ASU will face the host, Charleston Southern, on September 4.
Wofford 3, VMI 0
LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Wofford women's soccer team opened the 2006 campaign with a 3-0 triumph Friday afternoon at VMI in Lexington, Va., in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
The Terriers jumped on board in the first half when junior Whitney Steelman sent a cross from the right side to senior Jessica Connett. Connett then one-timed the pass and found the back of the net at 22:48 for Wofford's first goal of the season.
After holding the one goal edge at the half, Steelman gave the Terriers a 2-0 advantage with a tally of her own at 60:23. After Keydet goalkeeper Jessica Rheinlander deflected a cross, Steelman gathered the loose ball before firing it into the back of the net.
The final Wofford (1-0) score came just over 10 minutes later, at 70:28, when senior Bernie Sikes discovered another loose ball in the 18-yard box and knocked it home for the game's final tally and to give the Terriers the 3-0 margin.
Senior Austin Somers posted three saves in goal playing the first 79:28 before being relieved by freshman Becca Maloney for the final 10:32. Maloney did not have a save her action.
The Terriers held a 23-5 shot advantage against VMI (0-1), including a 13-1 edge at the half.
Wofford will continue its weekend road trip through Virginia when it plays in Farmville, Va., at 7 p.m. Sunday against Longwood.
NC State 3, Western Carolina 0
Raleigh, N.C. -- NC State women’s soccer scored two second half goals to defeat Western Carolina, 2-0 on Friday, Aug. 25, at Method Road Soccer Stadium. Freshman Briana Cunningham and sophomore Lindsay Vera each tallied a goal in the Wolfpack’s season opener. Senior goalkeeper Megan Connors recorded three saves on the night en route to her 10th career shutout. With the win, the Wolfpack improved to 1-0 on the year, while Western Carolina dropped to 0-1. NC State will host UNC Wilmington on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m.
“We played too so-so in the first half,” said NC State head coach Laura Kerrigan. “We played too narrowly and not enough pressure. We created more opportunities to score in the second half and really went after our attack with intensity. Megan Connors really stepped up in the net today. She made a great save at the end to keep the score at zero for a strong Western Carolina team, one that is the defending Southern Conference Tournament champions.”
In the first half, NC State out shot the Catamounts, 2-1, which included a goal scoring opportunity from sophomore Lindsay Vera. The forward posted the shot with just three minutes remaining in the first half, but Western Carolina’s goalkeeper, Alesha Row was there to make the save near the center of the box. One minute later, sophomore Tami Krzeszewski tallied the Wolfpack’s second and final shot of the half. The midfielder’s shot was blocked near the left side of the half circle. Her shot was blocked. WCU’s attack was limited to just one shot. Heather Dittmer turned off a free kick nearside in the 12th minute. Wolfpack keeper, Megan Connors was quick to make the save nearside about five yards off the post.
The second half saw a much more aggressive Wolfpack squad. NC State posted five shots in the period, including two on goal. Freshman Briana Cunningham put NC State on the board not long after NC State had already tallied two shots. She sprinted down the middle of the field, while Chantalle Dugas rounded a loose ball on the far side. Dugas played the ball to Cunningham as she neared the frame. Western Carolina’s keeper stepped up to cut into the open space, Cunningham struck from eight yards center and sent the ball strongly into the net at 69:30. The Pack’s second goal came from the foot of 2005’s leading scorer, Lindsay Vera with eight minutes left. Dugas once again had a part in the scoring opportunity. She dumped a pass to Vera near the Wolfpack endline, setting the striker up for a shot on goal. Vera’s first shot was blocked, but the Houston, Texas native pursued and connected on her second try, and provided the insurance goal from about 13 yards near the left post.
“The difference in this game was the second half play of midfielders Tami (Krzeszewski), Meredith (Parilla) and Jessica (O’Rourke). They won the 50-50 balls for us which resulted in better scoring chances.”
Western Carolina had five shots in the half, which included a strong shot from Shannon Fowkes with 1:37 to play. NC State’s Connors was there to make the save as she pushed the ball to her right and out of bounds for the save.
NC State will host UNC Wilmington on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m.
William & Mary 3, UNCG 1
WILLIAMSBURG, VA - UNC Greensboro scored the first goal of the contest but was unable to hold the lead as William & Mary scored the matches final three goals to claim a 3-1 win on Friday night in Williamsburg.
Jessica Patterson would put the Spartans on the scoreboard first. The junior midfielder netted the unassisted goal in the 20th minute. It was Patterson?s first goal of the season.
W&M would answer back ten minutes later. Forward Claire Zimmeck scored the Tribe?s first goal off a feed from Katie Hogwood. The two teams would go into the half with a 1-1 tie.
The Tribe would come out strong in the second half. Danielle Collins scored W&M?s second goal in the 49th minute from Tiffany Chudoba. Then, after eight minutes of play, the Tribe would get their final goal from Emily Kittleson. W&M went up 3-1 and held the lead for good.
?We played very good in the first half,? quoted UNCG?s head coach Eddie Radwanski, ?But in the second, we came out flat. We finished up the game strong but the difference was in the first 10 minutes of the second half.?
W&M outshot UNCG 20-9, including a 13-5 shot advantage in the second half. The Tribe also led in the corner kick category, 6-2.
The Spartans? goalkeeper, Katherine Ryan, recorded four saves in 90 minutes of play. Patterson had four shots for UNCG and Kelly Attayek added three shots.
UNCG travels to Chapel Hill on Tuesday to face the nationally ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. Kickoff is set for 7pm.
Akron 4, The Citadel 0
Akron, Ohio ? The Citadel women’s soccer fell to Akron, 4-0, in the opening round of the Caroline Pardee Invitational at Lee Jackson Field on Friday night. The Bulldogs will face Canisius on Sun., Aug. 27 at noon for the consolation match. New Mexico defeated Canisius, 3-1, and will face Akron in the championship game slated for Sun. at 2:30 p.m.
Akron (1-0-0) took a two-goal lead in the first half. At the 6:17 mark, Jacque Pitchford stole a serve from The Citadel (0-1-0) defense and put the ball into the top right corner of the net for the first score of the game. With 13:33 on the clock, Jessica Fix fired a shot from 30 yards out into the upper left corner of the goal to give the Zips a 2-0 advantage.
The Zips, who took 15 shots (eight on goal) to the Bulldogs' four, got insurance goals in the 62nd minute from Amee Thompson and in the 70th minute from Donna Swift.
Citadel keeper Brit Bunnell played the entire 90 minutes and notched four saves while Akron stopper Krystin Wilson earned the victory.
“The first half came out to be expected,” said head coach Bob Winch. “The first 45 minutes were rough, but we made some adjustments and played a great second half. To Akron’s credit, they hit three bombs that our defenders and Brit could not do anything about.”
All of Akron’s goals were unassisted as Fix netted a ball from 30 yards out and Thompson fired a goal from 40 yards. The backs had a great game defending the goal as Akron was not running past the defenders, but the Zips were able to get some leg behind the ball as they blasted shots into the net.
The Dogs faced Akron without the benefit of a playing a preseason match, as all 17 games count for The Citadel. Three freshmen got their first taste of collegiate soccer as Kristine Devine, Rachelle Ornelas and Dianna Martin took to the pitch for the first time as a Bulldog.
“The freshmen are not as na?ve anymore,” commented Winch. “High school is not the same as the collegiate level and it is good that they got that first game under their belts.”
Winch was able to get the first glimpse of his club playing against an opponent. All though the Dogs got off a to a rough start, Winch now has a better idea of what the team looks like in competition and can make adjustments.
“We really needed a preseason game,” added Winch. “It is difficult to base anything on training. I was really pleased with the second half. We need to create more opportunities for ourselves in the final third, but the second half was encouraging. Canisius will be another good test for us on Sunday.”
Akron will face New Mexico on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. EDT in the invitational final, while The Citadel and Canisius will square off in the consolation match at noon. UNM downed Canisius 3-1 in Friday's earlier match.