Elon 2, Maryland-Baltimore County 1
BALTIMORE, Md. ? Junior Stacie Ledford tallied the first goal of her collegiate career just over a minute into overtime to lead the Elon Phoenix to a 2-1 non-conference women’s soccer victory over the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers on Sunday afternoon. The victory pushed the Phoenix to 1-1-0 on the year while UMBC fell to 0-2-0.
Despite being out-shot 13-1 during the opening half, the Phoenix went into the break with a 1-0 advantage thanks to a goal off the foot of Katie Persichini. At the 42:28 mark, Susannah Gianakos crossed a ball through the UMBC defense to Persichini who netted her first marker of the season.
Elon keeper Lizz Johnson was kept busy throughout the half as she made seven saves to keep the Phoenix in the game.
The Retrievers evened the score at 1-1 at the 80:36 mark as Ashley Singer scored unassisted from the right corner of the penalty area. Singer’s goal would force overtime as neither team could find the back of the net for the remainder of the second half.
A little over a minute into the overtime period, Elon’s Ledford went on a long run down the right side of the field. Her blast went over the head of the UMBC keeper and into the net for the game-winning score at the 91:19 mark.
Johnson finished the day with 11 saves while Catie Bukowski of UMBC grabbed three saves. Both keepers went the distance.
UMBC out-shot Elon by a 21-5 margin overall and held a 12-5 edge in shots on goal.
Elon continues its road trek by participating in a tournament hosted by High Point on Sept. 6 and Sept. 8. On the first date, the Phoenix will take on the host Panthers at 7:00 p.m. and will then play the Campbell Fighting Camels in its second game of the tournament.
Western Carolina 4, Northern Colorado 0
Greeley, Colo. - The Western Carolina women's soccer team picked up their first win of the season Sunday afternoon, defeating the University Northern Colorado, 4-0 at the Jackson Sports Complex in Greeley, Colorado.
The Catamounts took an early lead on the Bears (12:22) when Lauren Atkinson took a long pass from Shanna Schmoker and put her shot in the back of the net. Atkinson returned the favor early in the second half, assisting Nikki Lombardo's header to put the Cats up 2-0.
Bri Cunningham added two late second half goals to help extend Western's lead. At the 60 minute mark, Cunningham was able to convert a pinpoint cross from Buki Baruwa while sliding across the box, nearly on her knees. Her second goal of the match was nearly as impressive and almost identical as her first. Baruwa picked up the assist on both goals, the second coming off of a sliding shot by Cunningham off of a lead pass by Baruwa.
The Catamounts made the most of their opportunities, scoring on four of the ten shots they took on the day, compared to only 6 shots for the Bears.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Gill made three saves to record her first shutout of the season, fending off two late charges by Northern Colorado, and turning away all comers.
Western (1-1) will return to the east coast Wednesday, September 5, to take on the Lady Bulldogs of UNC Asheville. They will look to continue their winning ways against their mountain rivals, then open up their home season Friday, September 7, against Winthrop. Kickoff for the UNC Asheville contest is at 4 p.m.
UNC Greensboro 2, Central Michigan 0
GREENSBORO, NC ? The UNC Greensboro women’s soccer team added another win Sunday afternoon as it defeated Central Michigan, 2-0 at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
Both teams got a rather slow start in the first half with each tacking up only one shot. Although the numbers were low, both the Spartans and the Chippewas set themselves up for several scoring opportunities that fell just short.
It was a different story in the second half as both teams came out firing for the back of the net putting up six shots in the first 15 minutes.
UNCG freshman Kristin Player put up the first goal of the game and what turned out to be the game-winner in the 76th minute. Sophomore Jennifer Bronson found Player off a left side cross just in front of the box to put the Spartans up 1-0. The goal was Player’s second.
Less than five minutes later, the Bronson/Player connection got another shot past CMU goalkeeper Shay Mannino. This time it was Player who set up the shot with a nice cross from the right side to Bronson just outside the 18.
UNCG was able to hold off the Chippewas for the remaining 10 minutes to record the 2-0 win.
Freshman Jenn Partenheimer, senior Jessica Patterson, and Bronson each had two shots in the match-up. Senior goalkeeper Katherine Ryan manned the net for the entire 90 minutes and tallied six saves. Ryan is also credited with another shutout. She has tallied eight in her career.
Following the game, head coach Eddie Radwanski had nothing but good to say to his team, “Two and zero on the opening weekend... that’s something to be proud of. It’s a wonderful way to start the season.”
On the topic of Central Michigan, Radwanski said that he was happy they could play such a difficult team. “CMU is really good to play and it was a tough game.” He went on to say that at times it was a battle of outside factors. “It was a tough game all around. Not only did we have to battle our opponent on the field, but we had to go against the heat as well.”
The Spartans will now have the upcoming week to prepare for the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, FL. After their return, they will have just a few short days before they host No. 1 North Carolina.
For more information on UNCG women’s soccer and all other Spartan athletics visit www.uncgspartans.com.
AGATE
SCORE BY PERIODS
UNCG..... 1 1 2
CMU....... 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY: UNCG Player (2) (Bronson), 76:07; UNCG Bronson (1) (Player), 79:40. Shots: Central Michigan 8, UNC Greensboro 9. Saves: Central Michigan 3 (Mannino 3), UNC Greensboro 6 (Ryan 6). Corner Kicks: Central Michigan 3, UNC Greensboro 37 Fouls: Central Michigan 7, UNC Greensboro 8.
Texas A&M 4, College of Charleston 0
CofC’s women’s soccer fell 4-0 to Texas A&M Sunday, Sept. 2 under the lights in College Station, Texas.
The Cougars’ season opener saw competition from a tough, fifth-ranked Aggies squad. CofC midfielder Danielle Jordan hustled defensively, while Amanda Andrews worked hard to gain possession for the Cougar offense. Andrews, Christian Patton and newcomer Megan Manthey had one shot each. Manthey’s header on goal came in the 76th minute of the competition and ricocheted off the crossbar, just missing the net.
Goalkeeper, Sarah Wiggers logged seven saves in the match.
The loss brings the Cougars’ record to 0-1-0 for the season. The women’s soccer team will see action next when they travel to Wilmington to take on UNC-Wilmington Fri., Sept. 7, at 7:00. The team will host Charleston Southern in their home opener at 7:00 on Tues., Sept. 11 at Patriots Point Field.
Davidson 1, High Point 0 (OT)
DAVIDSON, N.C. Sophomore Lauren Conner (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) gathered in a loose ball in the box in the 95th minute of overtime and kicked it into an open net to carry the Wildcat women's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory against visiting High Point on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium. Davidson earned its first win of the season to move to 1-1 overall, while the Panthers dropped to 0-2.
After playing 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, Davidson came out in overtime with an aggressive approach that paid off in the 95th minute.
Freshman Amanda Flink (Richardson, Texas) assisted in setting up Conner's game-winner when she sent a low pass to the 18-yard box where the Panther defense and goalie Marisa Abbott misplayed the loose ball. Abbott made a diving stable at it, only to lose it, which allowed Conner to gather in the ball and she found herself all alone infront of an empty net where she punched it through for her first-career collegiate goal.
Both goalies on each side were exceptional between the posts in the first two periods, coming up with some key saves throughout the game.
Wildcat senior goalie Bevin English (Charleston, S.C.) made a key save in the first two minutes of the second half when the Panther's Jen Evans got a pass in the goalie box, squared around and fired a shot that was first deflected and then saved by English. The senior closed out the game with six saves, five of them in the second half, out of High Point's 11 total shots taken.
Abbott was equally as effective, stopping three great looks by the Wildcats.
Sophomore Kyri Bye-Nagel (Hanau, Germany) peppered the goal twice, only to find Abbott there to save each shot for High Point. In the first half, Bye-Nagel broke free from the defense, racing down the left side and fired a shot directly at goal, but Abbott caught to come up with the save.
Then in the 54th minute of the second half, Bye-Nagel worked the ball down the right side of the field and got in the box, where she kicked one to the near side, but Abbott again shifted over in time to deflect the shot and keep the score set at zeroes.
Davidson closed out the contest with 10 shots, six of them on goal, and had six corner kicks to High Point's five.
The Wildcats head out to the state of Colorado for the first time in program history for their next two games. They will first play at Air Force on Sept.
7 at 6:30 (EST) and finish up their trip out west at Colorado College on the 9th at 1 p.m. (EST). Two years ago, Davidson and Colorado College played to a 2-2 tie at Alumni Stadium
Scoring Summary
95:17 DAV Lauren Conner (1) (unassisted)
NOTES: Bye-Nagel leads the team with five shots, four of them on goal through the first two games ... Davidson improved to 7-1 all-time against High Point ... the Wildcats are 3-1 in home openers under head coach Greg Ashton ... three yellow cards were administered in the game.
Mississippi State 2, Georgia Southern 1
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ? Holli Finneren’s goal in the 85th minute wasn’t enough for a late comeback as the Georgia Southern women’s soccer team fell to a strong Mississippi State squad, 2-1, Sunday afternoon, at the Samford Barber’s Invitational.
The Eagles fall to 0-2 in the young season, while the Bulldogs maintain an unblemished record at 2-0.
Overall, Mississippi State held the offensive advantage over the Eagles in the shots and corner kick categories, outshooting GSU 20-5, while tallying a 17-0 edge in corner kicks.
The shot opportunities helped the Bulldogs get on the scoreboard first when in the eighth minute Jessica Davis slipped a shot into the right corner of the goal.
Shots by Jenny Anderson (Birmingham, Ala.) in the 22nd minute and Susanne Rogers (Augusta, Ga.) in the 34th minute were high and wide.
GSU’s best scoring opportunity in the first half came off the foot of Michelle Berard (Kennesaw, Ga.) in the 39th minute, but was saved by MSU keeper Taryn Holland.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Mississippi State gained a 2-0 advantage after Treena Ferguson scored a winner past a diving Lauren Santos (Berwyn, Ill.) thanks to assisting teammates Katelyn Graben and Bethany Frazier.
“We made some adjustments in the second half and I thought we came out more competitive,” said head coach Ashley Hart. “We did a good job competing and battling for the soccer ball. In the last 30 minutes, we did a good job of calming down and playing our style of soccer.”
Both GSU shots in the second half came off the feet of Holli Finneren (Lake Orion, Mich.). Her first came in the 84th minute that went wide right. In the next minute, Finneren knocked in a penalty kick to give the Eagles their lone goal. It was GSU’s first goal in the young schedule.
Lauren Santos stopped 10 MSU shots and was credited with the loss, falling to 0-2, while Bulldog Taryn Holland made one save and earned the win.
Named to the All-Tournament Team were sophomores Heather Smith (Kingwood, Texas) and Lauren Santos, for both their defensive and offensive leadership during the tournament.
“Heather did a great job on defense during the tournament,” said Hart. “Not only is she a great defender, but she’s also an offensive threat. She created several of our scoring opportunities during these last two games.”
“Lauren had a solid game versus Samford,” said Hart. “Her shot-stopping ability, composure and leadership in the back was essential for us this weekend.
The Eagles will conclude their three-game road trip as they travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia State. The non-conference match-up is scheduled for September 9th at 1 p.m.
Furman 3, Southern Miss 0
Baton Rouge, La. -- The Furman women’s soccer team netted three second half goals and Briana da Mota recorded her second straight clean sheet as the Lady Paladins blanked Southern Miss 3-0 Sunday afternoon at the LSU Soccer Classic.
Despite holding an 8-0 edge in shot attempts at the break, Furman failed to grab a first half lead, but the flood gates opened for the Lady Paladins just before the hour mark. Rachel Fry and Sara El-Shami set up sophomore Margaret Antonik who found the back of the net from the top of the box at 58:38 to give Furman a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, Anna Betton tapped in a shot from inside the six-yard box on an assist from Lucy Martin to increase the margin to 2-0 at the 59:30 mark.
The Lady Paladins, who controlled the pace all afternoon and managed a
22-4 advantage in shot attempts, capped the scoring at 89:39 when freshman Meagan Zusi bagged her first career goal on an assist from Olivia Dashiell.
Da Mota was rarely tested by the Golden Eagles (0-2) and forced to make just two saves in the shutout. USM keeper Anna Fiser stopped seven shots in a losing effort.
Furman (2-0) returns to action Thursday when it opens its home schedule with a 7 p.m. contest versus USC Upstate at Stone Soccer Stadium. Furman fans can log onto www.furmanpaladins.com and follow the Furman All-Access link for live video streaming and live statistical information via GameTracker.
Wofford 1, Longwood 0
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Freshman Katie McChesney and sophomore Monica Ploetzke were the deciding factors for the Wofford women's soccer team on a squad featuring 21 first and second-year players in leading the Terriers to a season-opening 1-0 victory Friday afternoon against visiting Longwood at Snyder Field in Spartanburg, S.C.
McChesney earned her first start in goal and was one of two rookies to crack the starting lineup -- joining Lauren Cozzarelli -- and five overall to play for head coach Amy Kiah's squad in the match. McChesney finished with four saves, including a pair on Lancer breakaways in the second half to perserve her first collegiate shutout.
Ploetzke, who joined the Wofford (1-0) team halfway through 2006, saw the most action of her collegiate career and scored her first goal at 42:03. Following a Longwood (0-1) foul just outside the penalty box, Ploetzke used the set piece from 25 yards out to fire past the wall and into the lower left corner of the net. She finished with a match-high five shots, one less than the Lancers' team total.
The Terriers had numerous other chances to add to their lead throughout the game. Freshman Nikki Siebert joined junior Mary Rea with three shots apiece.
Wofford will continue its season-opening three-match homestand with a 6 p.m. Monday meeting with Big South foe Coastal Carolina.
Furman 2, Louisiana Tech 0
Baton Rouge, La. -- Lucy Martin and Anna Betton each notched a goal as Furman shutout Louisiana Tech 2-0 in the season opener for both teams Friday evening at the LSU Soccer Classic in Baton Rouge, La.
Lucy Martin, a sophomore from Peachtree City, Ga., ended the scoreless tie in the 29th minute slipping a shot inside the near post from 10 yards out to give Furman a 1-0 lead.
Betton, the Southern Conference’s leading scorer last season, doubled the lead at the 56-minute mark collecting the ball and racing past the defense before connecting on a shot from near the top of the box.
Sophomore goalkeeper Briana da Mota recorded her first shutout of the season collecting four saves in 90 minutes of action between the pipes.
Furman compiled a 15-6 edge in shots and 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Lady Techster keeper Nicole Didier tallied five saves in a losing effort.
Furman concludes play in the LSU Classic on Sunday when it faces Southern Miss in a 12:00 p.m. ET contest at the LSU Soccer Complex.
Central Michigan 4, Elon 0
ELON, N.C. ? Molly Gerst scored twice while Stephanie Martin added a goal and an assist to lead the Central Michigan Chippewas to a 4-0 non-conference women’s soccer victory over the Elon Phoenix from Rudd Field in the season-opener for both squads on Friday night. The Phoenix fell to 0-1-0 on the season while the Chippewas moved to 1-0-0.
Erin Douglas got Central Michigan on the board at 25:20 when she collected a pass from Martin and beat Elon’s Lauren Wisniewski for the score. Nearly 15 minutes later, Martin tallied her first goal of the season as she made a move around a Phoenix defender at the top of the box and blasted a score to put the Chippewas ahead 2-0 at 40:29.
The 2-0 CMU advantage remained into the second period when Gerst scored her first marker of the evening. Sarah Burns played a ball into the box at Gerst’s feet and she found the back of the net to provide a 3-0 margin at 53:08. Gerst’s second goal came at the 67:29 mark when she took the ball from an Elon back line player and easily scored the final point of the game.
Wisniewski played the first 45 minutes in goal for the Phoenix, allowing two goals and grabbing four saves. Lizz Johnson took the final 45 minutes in net and made two stops and let in two scores.
Shay Mannino stopped five shots while playing 75:06 in goal for the Chippewas. Hannah Bengston played the final 14:54 and did not have to make a save.
On the night, CMU out-shot Elon by a 17-8 margin, including an 11-5 edge in shots on goal.
The Phoenix will return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon, visiting the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers for a 1:00 p.m. contest. The Chippewas will remain in the Triad to take on UNC Greensboro at the same start time on Sunday.
Belmont 1, Chattanooga 0
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? The Belmont women’s soccer team opened its 2007 campaign with a 1-0 shutout over visiting Chattanooga on Friday night at the Whitten Soccer Complex. It marked the second consecutive season the Bruins opened at home with a victory.
The Bruins controlled the tempo of their first match of the season from the opening whistle. A very physical and aggressive BU kept the ball deep in Chattanooga territory for the majority of the first half.
Sophomore Elizabeth Bublis (Norman, Okla.) passed a ball to freshman Erica Carter (Spring, Texas) who was inside the box but the ball went just wide of the net for the first shot of the contest. Bublis followed with a corner kick that bounced off the crossbar. The Bruins went on to notch three more shots in the first half, including another one by Carter that managed to draw out the Mocs’ keeper but the ball ended up skimming the outside of the left post.
Chattanooga opened the second stanza with a shot by Chelsea Hurst that banged into the right post. However, the tide would turn back to Belmont’s favor with a shot by senior Kari Lennon (Hoover, Ala.) directly in front of the net. In the 58th minute, senior Lauren Uremovich (Plano, Texas) found the back of the net with the help of Lennon to give Belmont the first and only goal of the match. The Mocs attempted several times in the remaining minutes to score but was unable to get past the strong defensive line of the Bruins.
“I thought Chattanooga played very well for being such a young team,” said Head Coach Lisa Howe. “We did not play as urgent as I would have liked. We’ve got a lot to learn and we’ll put it together for our game on Sunday.”
BU dominated Chattanooga in shots, 14-5, and held the advantage in corner kicks, 3-1. Mila Junni recorded seven saves in goal for the Mocs. Senior Micaela Crowley (Hoover, Ala.) and sophomore Zirka Thompson (Alpharetta, Ga.) split time in goal for the Bruins, combining for a total of three saves.
Belmont women’s soccer returns to action on Sunday at Whitten Soccer Complex. The Bruins will host Middle Tennessee State beginning at 2 p.m.
Samford 1, Georgia Southern 0
STATESBORO, Ga. ? The Georgia Southern women’s soccer team fell 1-0 to Samford, Friday night, at the Samford Barber’s Invitational in Birmingham, Ala.
Samford’s Lauren Cook one-touched a winner from 15 yards off a centered pass by teammate Leah Leppert in the 16th minute to score the only goal of the match.
The Eagles struggled in the first half to produce offensively, firing only one shot compared to Samford’s six. But in the second half, Georgia Southern reorganized their play and created more scoring opportunities, which led to six shots.
“We had a little bit of first-games nerves,” said fourth year head coach Ashley Hart. “Samford was a little more organized in the first half. But, I was pleased with how we reorganized in the second half. We had a couple of good chances but just couldn’t finish.”
Junior forward Ashley Toussaint (Warner Robins, Ga.) led the team with two out of her four shots on goal. Junior defender Michelle Carlson (Melbourne, Fla.), freshman midfielder Michelle Berard (Kennesaw, Ga.) and sophomore defender Heather Smith (Kingwood, Texas) each registered a shot, apiece.
“When we settled in a little bit, and got our composure, overall it was a good team effort,” added Hart. “We did create a couple chances up top.”
The Bulldogs led the Eagles in the shots category with 15, compared to GSU’s seven. Though sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Santos (Berwyn, Ill.) was credited with the loss, she made nine saves on the day. Samford’s Cayley Winters earned the win making four saves, all in the second frame.
Both teams committed 18 fouls, apiece.
“We need to step out on the field with confidence and composure,” explained Hart, alluding to preparations for Sunday’s match versus Mississippi State. “We need to make sure we’re organized and composed, with and without the ball.”
The Eagles have Saturday to prepare for the Mississippi State game, slated for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. CDT.
Charlotte 6, The Citadel 0
Charlotte, N.C. - The Citadel soccer team fell to Charlotte, 6-0, in their first regular season game.
Charlotte had four players garnering goals, with Nikki Labuda leading the way with two goals.
The 49ers opened their offensive attack early with a goal by Nikki Labuda, who sank the ball into the left side of the net off a cross from Rachel Mess. Less than twenty minutes later, Whitney Weinraub tallied her first career goal off an assist from Sam Huecker.
In the second half, the 49ers added a goal from Hailey Beam, who headed in a cross from Sara Jane Harris. 10 minutes later, The Citadel added to Charlotte’s score with an own-goal, which was immediately followed by Labuda’s second goal of the night off an assist from Huecker. Katie Hadley ended the 49er scoring by sinking a shot off an assist from Leah Zappone.
“Charlotte is a very good team,” said Citadel head coach Bob Winch. “They have a lot of talented athletes and a deep roster. Their forwards were fast and attacked us well while their defenders were very strong.”
While the Bulldogs only added one shot on goal, by senior Aly Woodhead, their defense stayed strong and fought off a 30-1 shot count difference. They allowed 16 corner kicks, none of which resulted in a goal, and starting keeper Britni Bunnell added seven saves to her all-time Citadel career leading save count of 232. Goalkeeper Emily Green also tallied six saves in the contest.
“I told the team after the game to forget about the score and remember the effort that they gave, said Bob Winch. “Charlotte is as good as any team in the Southern Conference, and we played as hard as we could. Our work rate was great and we never gave up on the game. That shows a lot about the character of these girls.”
“I was impressed by the play of some of our freshman, Nicole Martinoli, Jessa Scott and Jessica Stewart all gave us quality minutes and showed me they belong at this level, said Winch.”
The 49ers finished regulation with a 30-1 shot advantage and 16-0 in corner kicks, with goalkeeper Lauren Brown receiving credit for the shutout.
The Bulldogs will return to action this Monday when they travel to play VMI at 4:00 p.m. For more information on the soccer team and on other Citadel athletics, log on to www. citadelsports.com.
North Carolina State 5, Davidson 1
RALEIGH, N.C. Davidson opened the 2007 season on the road for the second straight year and found itself on the wrong end of a 5-1 decision as N.C.
State's Lindsay Vera recorded her first career hat trick to lead the Wolfpack to the win on Friday evening at Method Road Soccer Stadium.
Davidson falls to 0-1 to start the season, while N.C. State improved to 1-0.
Vera broke open a 1-1 tie in the second half with three of the Wolfpack's four goals, scoring all three in a five-minute span. The game-winner came at the 67:24 mark when Kara Baldy crossed a ball from the right into the box, which was one-touched by Chantalle Dugas over to Vera, who cleaned up right in front of the goal mouth.
After N.C. State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first stanza, Davidson knotted things up when sophomore Kyri Bye-Nagel (Hanau, Germany) kicked in a deflection in front of the goal at the 41st minute mark.
Senior Bevin English (Charleston, S.C.) did all she could to keep the Wildcats in the contest early as N.C. State dominated the first 20 minutes.
Davidson did not muster a shot until 20 minutes were underway in the half.
English registered 12 saves on the night in her 90 minutes of action.
Davidson picked up five shots in each half, but was outshot 24-10 with the Wolfpack putting 17 of their shots on goal, compared to the Wildcats' six.
The Wildcats will kick off their home portion of their 2007 schedule on Sunday, Sept. 2 when they play host to High Point at 5 p.m. Last year, Davidson took a 2-0 decision from the Panthers and sport a 6-1 all-time mark against HPU.
Wyoming 1, Western Carolina 0
Laramie, Wyo. - Wyoming junior Tamika Wilson scored her team's first goal of the year in the 70th minute lifting the Cowgirls past the Western Carolina Catamounts, 1-0, at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex Friday evening.
WCU (0-1-0) was out shot 14-to-4 on the day, with sophomore Shanna Schmoker leading three Catamounts with a pair of shots. Her classmates, Bri Cunningham and Nikki Lombardo, each added one shot in the loss.
The first half set the tone for the entire game with 23 fouls being committed, 15 for the Catamounts and eight for the Cowgirls. The game ended with a total of 44 fouls and five yellow cards.
Wilson scored the game winner on a breakaway after a through ball from freshman Kayla Davis at the 69:43 mark to lift the Cowgirls to the win.
WCU freshman goalkeeper Caitlin Williams was saddled with the loss despite recording six saves in 90-minutes of work.
Western continues its four-day, two-match road swing out west as it visits Northern Colorado on Sunday afternoon at Noon MT / 2:00 pm ET.
UNC Greensboro 2, William & Mary 0
GREENSBORO, NC ? The UNC Greensboro women’s soccer team defeated No. 27 William and Mary, 2-0 in an exciting battle Friday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The win snapped William and Mary’s 17-game unbeaten streak, which was the second longest nationally. North Carolina has the longest current unbeaten streak at 27 straight. The Tar Heels will visit UNCG Soccer Stadium in two weeks.
With the win Spartans are now 5-2 in season opener under Eddie Radwanski.
The Spartans lit up the board at 7:34 in the first half as freshman Kristin Player got her first collegiate goal. Senior Karla Davis’ throw-in from the right side of the field found senior Jessica Patterson just in front of the box. After a quick header flick over to the left side, Player fired past William and Mary’s keeper Meghan Walker.
UNCG’s second goal of the game came at 74:23 as a short pass from Davis to the top of the key set-up junior Heather Deutschle. With the keeper out, Deutschle lobbed one over the final defender and just under the crossbar, into the net for her first goal this season.
Head coach Eddie Radwanski said he knew full-well going into the game that it would be very competitive. “It almost felt like a tournament game,” he said afterwards. “Both teams were conference champions last year and both know what it’s like to be successful.
“We made a few adjustments in the second half and stepped right up to their playing style. We were really able to limit William and Mary to any major scoring opportunity beginning with a great save by Katherine Ryan in the first half. Overall, it was a great win.”
Ryan had four saves on the night to record her first shutout of the season.
The Spartans will return to the UNCG Soccer Stadium on Sunday as they take on the Chippewas of Central Michigan. The game is set to begin at 1pm.
For more information on UNCG women’s soccer and all other Spartan athletics visit www.uncgspartans.com.
AGATE
SCORE BY PERIODS
UNCG..... 1 1 2
W&M...... 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY: UNCG Player (1) (Patterson, Davis), 7:34; UNCG Deutschle (1) (Davis), 74:23. Shots: William and Mary 9, UNC Greensboro 5. Saves: William and Mary 0 (Walker 0), UNC Greensboro 4 (Ryan 4). Corner Kicks: William and Mary 3, UNC Greensboro 3; Fouls: William and Mary 4, UNC Greensboro 10.
Appalachian State 2, Tennessee Tech 0
BOONE, NC - Appalachian State women’s soccer opened the season the winning way with a 2-0 triumph over Tennessee Tech inside Kidd Brewer Stadium. Following a 1-1 preseason that included a win over Campbell only four days earlier, the Mountaineers were in good form in the season kickoff. The win marks the first victory in program history for Appalachian over Tennessee Tech in three tries dating back to 1999.
“It’s a win,” said head coach Ben Popoola. “We are improving every match, but we still have some things to work on. We gave up too many chances and almost got burned.”
Junior Casey Cleary opened the score line in the 13th minute as she stuffed home a pass from freshman Rachel Handy in the net from the edge of the six-yard box. The goal is the 17th career goal for Cleary, moving her into a tie for fifth place on the all-time goals chart.
A late penalty gave Appalachian an opportunity to extend the lead. Sophomore Stephanie Balzano took the spot kick and beat the keeper to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 86th minute.
Appalachian controlled the pace of play and worked most of the match inside the Golden Eagle defensive third. ASU took 14 shots with eight on goal. The Mountaineers earned nine corner kicks while allowing only two. Appalachian committed 16 fouls and earned 11.
Sophomore Emma White notched the win in goal being tested only once in the match. The shutout is the seventh of White’s career.
The Mountaineers return to action this Monday, September 3 with a Labor Day match against Winthrop who earned a 1-1 draw on Friday night against Francis Marion. The Eagles and Mountaineers will take to the field at the ASU Soccer Stadium at 4:00. Admission is free.