The Citadel 4, South Carolina State 2
CHARLESTON, S.C. ? The Citadel soccer team beat the Bulldogs of South Carolina State, 4-2, Wednesday night at WLI.
The Bulldogs started off aggressive as Nikkita Persaud took the first shot one minute into the game. The momentum continued when Amy Loughran took the second shot of the game a few seconds later but was saved by S.C. State’s Alechia Brothers. The first 23 minutes of the game were scoreless for both teams until Loughran nailed in the first goal with 23:55 on the clock, assisted by Dianna Martin and Jessa Scott. Nikki Mares then blasted in the second goal, assisted by Nicole Martinoli leaving The Citadel Bulldogs up 2-0 for halftime. S.C. State had no shots in the first half.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with five shots before S.C. State attempted their first shot of the game allowing Whitney Nave to pick up her first save. With 29:41 on the clock, Mares scored her second goal of the game, assisted by Jessica Stewart. About four minutes later, Hannah Warne performs a corner kick then Kristine Devine passes to Loughran for another Citadel goal. S.C. State tried to make a quick comeback as Baja Peoples scored two back-to-back goals, one assisted by Janine Francois. The Citadel held the Bulldogs of S.C. State for their second win of the season.
Loughran now has four career and season goals and Mares has a total of three career and season goals at The Citadel. Martin tallied up her second season assist, third career assist. Scott earned her third season assist, fourth career assist and Nicole Martinoli earned her first season assist, second career assist. Stewart recorded her first two career and season assists while Devine earned her first season assist, second career assist. Warne has proven to be a true freshman as she picked up first career and season assist. Whitney Nave picked up her first career and season win as goalie with one save and 75 minutes of play.
The Citadel continues to lead the series 8-0 as they out-shot S.C. State 22-5.
Head Coach Bob Winch was pleased with the performance by the Bulldogs. “We moved the ball very well today and our passing was sharp but we needed to be more specific in the final third of the field though.”
The Bulldogs will travel to Spartanburg, S.C. to take on the USC-Upstate Spartans for their final non-conference play. Then the Bulldogs will return to WLI Field to host the first Southern Conference match against Western Carolina, Friday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.
Chattanooga 1, Tennessee Tech 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Morgan Shelton snared a goal late in the game to lift the Lady Mocs to a 1-0 victory over Tennessee Tech at the North River Soccer Complex Wednesday afternoon.
Shelton took a pass from D.K. Henry on the left side. Tennessee Tech’s keeper Kaitlyn Thacker came out of the net to stop the goal, but Shelton got past her and nabbed the game winner in the 72nd minute.
Chattanooga controlled most of the action throughout the game outshooting the Golden Eagles 13-5 and had five shots on goal to TTU’s one. The win moved Chattanooga to 3-3-1 overall as they prepare for Alabama’s Crimson Tide Classic this weekend in Tuscaloosa. The Lady Mocs will take on host Alabama Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Chattanooga keeper Allie Preston had just one save on the night and earned her third shutout this year.
Tennessee Tech falls to 1-7 overall and will return home for a four-game home stand starting Sunday with a match against UNC Asheville.