Western Carolina 2, The Citadel 1
Charleston, S.C. - Sophomore Vanessa Aponte netted her team-high fifth goal of the season in the 29th minute of Friday's conference opener against Western Carolina (6-2-1), but one score would not be enough as the Bulldogs fell to the Catamounts, 2-1, on Washington Light Infantry Field.
Western Carolina started the game aggressively and forced the ball down the field with two quick shots in the fourth minute that both sailed wide left on senior goalkeeper Whitney Nave. Five minutes later the Catamounts' physical play would pay off as forward Samantha Hodge would drill a 30-yard laser over Nave's head and into the back of the net to give Western Carolina a quick 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs (2-6-1) settled in and railed off four unsuccessful shots in just a three-minute time frame before senior captain Hannah Warne would place a perfect pass to the foot of Aponte that would be directed into the right corner of the net to even the game at a goal apiece. The 29th minute score was Aponte's fifth and Warne's first assist on the year.
The half would end in a 1-1 tie.
Senior Laura Serafino (2-5) would enter the game in the second half to handle the goalkeeping duties and would stay busy as the Catamounts were able to attempt three quick shots.
Both defenses would hold strong for the next 25 minutes, not allowing the offense to connect on any good attempts. It wasn't until the 70th minute of play that Hodge would get another opportunity at net and she was able to capitalize again with another rocket that deflected off Serafino's hands and into the goal to give the Catamounts a 2-1 lead.
The Bulldogs would be given several opportunities to tie the game, firing four good looks at the goal in the final ten minutes, but were unable to net the equalizer. Time would expire and the Catamounts would come out on top, 2-1. The one goal deficit is the Bulldogs' fifth on the season and third in consecutive games.
The Citadel will play their final match of their four-game home stretch against SoCon foe Appalachian State on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. on WLI Field. The Bulldogs topped the Mountaineers for the first time in program history last season in a 2-1 double-overtime thriller in Boone, N.C.
Wofford 2, Georgia Southern 1
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Wofford scored twice in the second half to lead the Terriers to a 2-1 win over Georgia Southern to open Southern Conference play Friday evening at Snyder Field.
Wofford improves to 7-0-0 overall, tying the best start in program history when the Terriers began the season with the same record in 2000. The Eagles drop to an overall record of 2-5-2.
Georgia Southern struck first, when Alex Murphy scored in the 28th minute of play when keeper Erika Christensen came out of the box, but misplayed the ball, clearing the way for a wide open shot by Murphy from five yards out.
The Terriers answered back in the 55th minute, when Chelsea Ashworth sent the ball past the outstretched hands of GSU keeper Kailey Kiefus into the right corner of the net following a pass by Anne Phillips. The goal is Ashworth's fourth of the season.
Wofford scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the 70th minute as Erin Stephenson took a corner kick that bent toward Kiefus, who attempted to grab the ball for the save, but was unable to hold on to it, sending the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the first of the season for Stephenson.
"I was impressed by Georgia Southern, as they came out really strong in the first half." stated Wofford head coach Amy Kiah following the contest. "We played nervous in the first half, so we adjusted some things at halftime. It was definitely a team effort all around, defensively and attacking. We are excited about getting the first conference win, as it's a crucial one that will set the tone for the remainder of conference play."
Christensen got the win for the Terriers, earning one save while facing a total of seven shots. Kiefus was given the loss, earning four saves while facing 12 shots.
The Terriers will return to action this Sunday afternoon, hosting Davidson. The match is slated for a 2:00 p.m. start time at Snyder Field.
College of Charleston 2, Appalachian State 1
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - The College of Charleston women's soccer team opened its Southern Conference season with a 2-1 win over Patriots Point on Friday evening. The Mountaineers struck first but the Cougars quickly equalized and notched the game winner midway through the second half.
The match was the SoCon opener for both squads which entered the match with identical records. CofC improves to 5-4-0 (1-0-0) while Appalachian State falls to 4-5-0 (1-0-0 SoCon).
"It was a great match out there," said head coach Christian Michner. "Both teams were scrapping and fighting hard for the win. I give a lot of credit to the App. State team. They are very well-coached and they certainly came out with a fight and fire in them, frankly, something we haven't seen with too many teams this year. I'm proud of our kids. I always say good teams find a way to win. Tonight, we found a way to win."
The Mountaineers struck in the 13th minute when Hannah Coad slotted Meggie Graham at the six-yard mark. Graham's first attempt struck the cross bar but she collected her own rebound and tucked the ball into the back of the net.
The Cougars had a quality chance to equalize in the 20th minute when Hope Atkinson (Rumson, N.J.) found Sarah Schaidle (Simpsonville, S.C.) streaking through the middle of the pitch. Schaidle flicked the ball over a defender's head and recollected it to have a try at net but the attempt sailed just over the bar.
Just two minutes later, CofC got through when Atkinson sent a ball into the box from the left side of the field and connected with Sarah Cardamone (Downingtown, Pa.). Cardamone's shot on goal was denied but the rebound fell to Schaidle who would not miss on another attempt.
The teams battled the remainder of the first half without any more scoring despite quality chances on both ends of the field. The period was played from end-to-end in quick swings and counter attacks.
Taylor Avery (Clifton, Va.) made two crucial saves early in the second half to keep the score temporarily locked at 1-1. The first came against Sydney Hill who had sprung free on a run towards goal but Avery charged off her line and made a sliding save to muffle the shot attempt.
Moments later, Graham collected a bouncing ball with no one between her and the keeper but Avery made a world-class save by diving to her left.
The Cougars granted Avery some breathing room with a go-ahead goal in the 69th minute. After spending the majority of the early-second half minutes in their defensive third, Lindsay Frey (Cincinnati, Ohio) fed a ball to a breaking Atkinson roughly 40 yards from net. Atkinson split a pair of defenders and rocketed a shot from the top of the box and the Mountaineers' keeper Amy Kowolsky couldn't handle the blast as it bent to her left and eventually trickled into the net.
"It (game-winning goal) was amazing," said Michner. "We always talk about taking our chances from anywhere on the field. We feel like we can score goals from all over. It really started with the great combination in the midfield. Lindsay Frey had a quick combination on one side of the field to play out the other way and Hope (Atkinson) did an amazing job of getting the ball and striking it on frame. It was a great way to start the SoCon season and end the night."
The Cougars were able to thwart the Mountaineers' chances down the stretch to preserve the victory. Avery played the full 90 minutes in net and made six saves to earn her first collegiate victory.
The Cougars continue SoCon play with a match on Sunday afternoon against Western Carolina at Patriots Point. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
"It's all about recovery. We will put this behind us. We are excited about the win but the focus now turns to Western Carolina who beat The Citadel earlier tonight. It will be a good match for us on Sunday."
Furman 3, Davidson 0
Greenville, S.C. -- Three different players scored goals and Jessica Smith notched her second shutout of the season as Furman rolled to a 3-0 victory over Davidson in the Southern Conference women's soccer opener for both teams on Friday night at Stone Stadium.
The win, Furman's fourth in its last five outings, improved the Paladins to 6-4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SoCon while Davidson fell to 2-5-2 overall and 0-1 in league play.
"I'm very proud of our team for getting a win against a solid Davidson club tonight," said Furman coach Andrew Burr. "We played well for a full 90 minutes and got tremendous leadership and production, especially from senior Rachel Shelnutt."
After creating the majority of the chances over the first half hour of the match, Furman broke through in the 40th minute. India Robinson floated a ball into the box from the left wing and unmarked freshman Hannah Stanifer flicked her header into the side netting at the far post to put Furman in the lead at 39:08.
Just 1:20 after the restart, Shelnutt tallied her fourth goal of the season to double the Paladin advantage. The St. Simons Island, Ga., native received an Ellen Moore pass at the top of the box, turned and ripped a shot over the head of Wildcat keeper Rachel Locke to up the lead to 2-0.
Senior Martha Hall finished the scoring at 85:05 pouncing on a loose ball in the box and slotting her shot into the left side for her first goal of the 2011 campaign.
Smith registered two saves to earn the shutout while Locke stopped five Furman shots in over 84 minutes of action. Furman compiled a 19-8 advantage in shots, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. The Wildcats did not manage a shot on Furman's goal until the final 10 minutes.
The Paladins continue their homestand on Sunday afternoon when they host the Georgia Southern Eagles in a 2 p.m. contest at Stone Stadium.
Tickets for Sunday's match can be purchased at the gate or online at www.FurmanPaladins.com. Fans can also follow live statistical updates for free or watch the live video stream of the match with commentary from Bryant Lambert and Sam Tooker.