BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The Samford University soccer team earned a 1-0 exhibition victory against the Belmont Bruins on Thursday as the Bulldogs opened competitive play in its 2010 season at Bulldog Field. In the victory, Samford's Sabbath McKiernan-Allen scored the game-winning goal during the 17th minute of play.
"I was glad that we won today, but it was just another typical exhibition for us," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "We were sloppy at times, and good at times, but I thought there were definitely some bright spots from our freshmen and from a lot of the sophomores that really didn't get to play too many minutes last season. They were big positives for us tonight."
The Bulldogs' goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead tallied three saves en route to a complete-game shutout. Samford outshot Belmont 12-6 on Thursday and registered four corner kicks compared to zero for the Bruins.
"This was a quality opponent for us to exhibition against and we were fortunate to get the win," Yelton said. "Sabbath's goal was a big lift for us and it's always good to be playing from in front than from behind. It makes things a lot easier and you never want to be chasing a game, you'd always rather be ahead early, and I thought it did take a little bit of the pressure off of us."
Sophomore defender McKiernan-Allen gave the Bulldogs their early lead as she tallied the match's lone goal at exactly 16:34 in the first half.
McKiernan-Allen's score came on a corner kick sent in from the left side by Leah Leppert. The ball was centered perfectly into the box and bounded neatly to McKiernan-Allen only five feet from the goal. On the kick, she timed it perfectly and placed a lofting shot over the goalkeeper's head for the score. Leppert was awarded with an assist on the play.
At the half, Samford led 1-0 and only allowed a single Belmont shot attempt. The Bulldogs accumulated five of their 12 shots in the opening period.
"I thought that we were really good in the first half," said Yelton. "In the second half, I didn't think that we knocked it as well as we wanted to. I have to give full credit to Belmont. I think they are a really tough team to play against and they put a tremendous amount of pressure on us. Belmont is an extremely well-coached team and I think (head coach) Lisa (Howe) does a great job with that program."
Samford true freshmen Shanika Thomas and Michelle Moll both registered three shots apiece to lead the Bulldogs, while Belmont finished the contest with six individual players tallying one shot each.
"We closed it out with a win today and now we need to start preparing for a really good Alabama team," Yelton said. "I think they are going to be much improved from last year and it's their home opener, so I know it will be a tough match for us."
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a season-opening contest against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The 2010 season opener will be held at the UA Soccer Complex. Last season, Samford earned a 3-0 victory against Alabama in a match held at Bulldog Field.