Elon 2, Coastal Carolina 0
CONWAY, S.C. – Nicole Dennion’s second-half goal and first-half assist helped the Elon University women’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory in its season opener at Coastal Carolina on Friday.
In the 26th minute, Dennion took a short pass on a corner from Raychel Diver and hit Alissa Pantuosco on a cross for the header and score, putting the Maroon and Gold up, 1-0.
Dennion struck again in the second frame, taking a loose ball off a Coastal misplay and chipping it over the opposing goalkeeper for the score, giving the Phoenix a 2-0 lead.
The Elon backline and keeper Kate Murphy held the Chanticleers in check from there, earning the shutout and the victory. The Phoenix held the Chanticleers to just one shot in the second half.
Murphy minded the net for all 90 minutes, tallying three saves.
Elon put five shots on-frame in the win, while holding Coastal Carolina to three.
The Phoenix ended the night with a 6-3 edge in corners, including four in the second half.
Elon returns to Rudd Field on Sunday at 2 p.m. to face instate foe East Carolina.
Appalachian State 2, East Tennessee State 1
BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State won its season opener on Friday night by defeating ETSU 2-1 – the Mountaineers’ first season-opening win since 2007. Several Appalachian State athletics teams were in attendance to support the women's soccer team.
Amy Werdine, Logan White, Jaclyn Nieradka and Nicole Steyl were the starters on defense and set the tone early that it would be tough to get behind them.
Julia Holz struck early in the game, scoring in the eighth minute of the match. Holz was on the receiving end of a great through ball from Sam Neill in the right side of the box and was able to beat Jasmine Elliot going to her right. Holz also led the team in shots with four.
App State would strike again right before the half on a Aubrey Fletcher cross from the left end line and was able to challenge the keeper and squeak it to Kebrina Keys, who was able to punch it in from the turf to give Appalachian a 2-0 advantage.
The defense stood strong well into the second half before allowing the only goal of the game for ETSU on a score by Ellis Parsons. That’s where the scoring would end, and the home squad was able to protect the one-goal lead.
Megan Roberson controlled the net for the Mountaineers and was strong throughout earning her first win of the season. Roberson made three saves on the night.
The Apps topped the Buccaneers in shots 15 to 14 – seven on-goal for Appalachian and as opposed to ETSU's four. Both teams split corner kicks, taking five apiece.
Appalachian State will return to Appalachian Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a 2 p.m. kick off against Austin Peay.
Western Carolina 2, Lipscomb 0
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina (1-0) defeated Lipscomb University (0-1) 2-0, in its home and season opener Friday at the Catamount Athletic Complex.
The Catamounts scored goals in each half to earn the shutout. Junior Jenny Lauer and freshman Carly Tinstman shared goalkeeper duties, with Lauer in goal the first half and Tinstman entering for the final 45 minutes.
It looked like the Catamounts would score early in the match when sophomore forward Markie-Lynn Studnicky took a header shot on goal, but the ball went wide right. Western Carolina took six shots in the opening 42-plus minutes of the match before finding the back of the net.
Junior Caitlyn Bradham got the Catamounts on the scoreboard at the 42:43 mark of the first half. Senior Christine Kaznowski placed a perfect pass inside the box to Bradham, who sailed it past Lipscomb goalie Anna Buhigas.
The Catamounts tacked on an insurance goal early in the second half, putting added pressure on Lipscomb. At the 47:17 mark, junior Sara Robinson picked up a pass from Kelly Pannell, about 5 yards out, for the score.
Kaznowski had a beauty of a shot at 85:49 that went high, just kissing the crossbar. It was Western Carolina’s 15th shot in the game, ending the contest with 17.
Western Carolina allowed Lipscomb just one shot in the first half and four in the second. Lauer and Tinstman each had a save in the match.
UNCG 1, Hawai’I 0 (2OT)
WAIPAHU, O'ahu – Sophomore Chesney White headed home the game-winning goal in the second overtime to give UNCG women's soccer a 1-0 victory against Hawai'i on Friday night at Waipo Stadium.
In the 104th minute, freshman Georgia Brown made a run and played a perfect ball to White, who headed home the winner for the Spartans.
Hawai'i was previously unbeaten in their last 13 games at home.
After neither team could score in regulation, the game went into overtime, where sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Simmons made a kick stop to keep Hawai'i off the board.
In the 89th minute, both teams had players lost due to red cards, making it 10-on-10 for the rest of the match.
In the second half, sophomore Katherine Rodriguez had a shot outside the box that went just wide in the 67th minute. Simmons came away with three more saves in the second half.
In the first half, Brown landed a header shot on goal, but Hawai'i keeper Erica Young made the save.
Simmons finished the half with two saves, including a stop over the net in the 29th minute.
The defensive unit that has two freshmen starting played solid, holding Hawai'i to zero goals in the first 45 minutes. Redshirt freshman Kiah Allen took away a breakaway attempt to keep the Rainbow Wahine off the board.
Simmons ended the game with six saves, earning her first shutout of the 2013 season.
UNCG will finish the Hawai'i tournament against PAC-12 member Washington on Sunday at noon local time, with the game starting at 6 p.m. on the East Coast.
Winthrop 1, Wofford 0
ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Wofford women’s soccer team opened the regular season losing to the Winthrop, 1-0 Friday night at Eagle Field. The Eagles sealed the win on a late goal by Winthrop forward Krystyna Freda.
The Terriers fell to 0-1-0, while the Eagles improved to 1-0-0.
The Terriers battled with the Eagles in the first half, keeping the score at 0-0. Winthrop had the first opportunity to score in the 29th minute when Freda had a shot that was saved by the Terriers’ junior goalkeeper Kara Boggs. Wofford then responded in the 41st minute when senior midfielder Alex Kachulis had a header in the 6-yard box that was saved by Eagles goalkeeper Amelia Henderson. Winthrop had the first-half edge in shots 8-5, while the Terriers won the corner battle 4-1.
In the second half, sophomore forward Chloe Brackett had an opportunity in the 57th minute to put Wofford in the lead when she dribbled to the right side on the 18-yard box and had a shot to the right post, which was saved by Henderson. Brackett would have her second opportunity denied, as well, in the 59th minute.
The Eagles increased their attack on the Terrier defense, creating multiple opportunities and forcing Boggs to make a couple of big saves. Winthrop finally broke the deadlock in the 84th minute when Freda scored the game-winning goal, volleying a bouncing ball at the top of the 18-yard box, and placing it into the top left corner of the net.
Boggs faced a total of 18 shots, four on goal, and made four saves. Henderson earned her first win and shutout of the season, facing 11 Terrier shots and making four saves.
Wofford will return to action on Sunday when it travels to USC Upstate to take on the Spartans. The match is set to kick off at 6 p.m. The Terriers will then play their home opener at Snyder Field on Aug. 30 when they host Costal Carolina University at 7 p.m.
Indiana State 2, Georgia Southern 1 (2OT)
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The 2013 Georgia Southern women’s soccer season started on a sour note as the Eagles dropped a 2-1 decision to Indiana State on Friday night. The Eagles scored first, but ISU scored an equalizer in the 38th minute that ultimately sent the match to overtime. The Sycamores tucked the game-winning goal in the net with less than four minutes remaining in the second overtime period.
The Eagles’ solid start paid off with a goal in the fourth minute. A solid build up culminated with Cori Dulmage slotting a pass to Sydnie Van Curen, who ripped a low, hard shot that found the net from outside the penalty area. The junior tallied her sixth career goal, while Dulmage posted her first career assist.
Indiana State leveled the match in the 38th minute with a free-kick goal. Kayla Welch struck the set piece from about 20 yards out and scored the Sycamores’ first goal of the season.
The possession went back and forth throughout the second half, but it was Indiana State that led the shots total in the second period by a 9-2 margin.
With nothing settled between the teams in regulation, the match went to overtime. It was Georgia Southern’s third overtime contest in the last four outings, dating back to last season’s SoCon tournament.
The Sycamores got the game-winner in the 107th minute with a Kate Johnson goal from 28 yards. ISU won the ball at midfield and used a quick counterattack with an early shot to end the match with the goal.
Georgia Southern closes the opening weekend of the 2013 season on Sunday with a 1 p.m. tilt against Indiana.
Memphis 2, Samford 0
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In its 2013 season opener, the Samford University women’s soccer team couldn’t overcome a pair of early goals from the Memphis Lady Tigers in a 2-0 loss at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs outshot Memphis 6-0 in the second half of play, but their late resurgence came up short in a tough road opener.
Samford (0-1) will next be in action Sunday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs welcome the Tennessee Lady Vols to the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium for a pivotal early season matchup.
Memphis (1-0) extended its winning streak against the Bulldogs to three consecutive contests and evened the all-time series between the teams at 3-3. Samford has not beaten the Lady Tigers since a 1-0 home victory on Sept. 8, 2007.
In Friday’s match, Memphis’ opening goal was scored by junior forward Nugene Nugent and was assisted by Christabel Oduro. The opening goal of the evening was tallied in the 18th minute of play and was angled by Nugent from the left side of the box into the right corner of the net.
Just over seven minutes later, the Lady Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 as Valerie Sanderson gathered a Kaitlyn Atkins corner kick and connected on her first goal of the 2013 campaign. Sanderson’s score was tallied in the 25th minute of play.
At the half, Samford’s early sluggish performance was highlighted by a 9-0 deficit in statistical shot attempts.
Offensively, Samford’s offensive attack was paced by three shot attempts from dynamic true freshman forward Malcanisha Kelley. The Bulldogs’ Taylor Borman, Anna Allen and Trine Taule all added one shot attempt apiece.
In goal, highly touted true freshman Katie Peters made her first collegiate start and tallied three saves.
East Carolina 2, Davidson 0
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Despite out-shooting East Carolina 14-8, the Davidson women’s soccer team was unable to kick one through in falling to the Pirates 2-0 Friday evening at Alumni Stadium.
The Wildcats (0-1) saw ECU spoil their home opener and the start of the program’s 25th year by netting goals in the 50th and 88th minutes. The Pirates won for the third straight year against Davidson, with two of those wins coming at Alumni Stadium.
Becca Fisher led Davidson with four shots, twice just missing putting headers in the net off corner kicks. Goalkeeper Rachel Locke finished with a pair of saves.
ECU’s Skylar Poole and Kelsey Reeves scored a goal apiece, while Lana Spitler had a pair of assists.
The Wildcats close out their opening weekend at home against Big South foe Coastal Carolina on Sunday at 2 p.m. It will be the first meeting between both schools.
No. 17 Maryland 9, The Citadel 0
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Ashley Spivey recorded a hat trick to lead host Maryland to a 9-0 victory over The Citadel in the season opener for both teams Friday night.
The Terrapins, ranked No. 17 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason poll, were held off the scoreboard for nearly 18 minutes as Bulldog starting goalkeeper Naomi Carter made three saves in that span.
Maryland finally got on the board when Spivey scored off a corner kick with 17:40 expired in the first half. She added a second goal seven minutes later, and Lauren Berman also found the net as the Terrapins took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
Carter finished with four saves over the opening 45 minutes and had seven in the game before being relieved by Sarah Katchen with 20 minutes remaining. Katchen made a pair of saves in her time in goal.
Spivey, a sophomore who was the No. 6 recruit in the nation two years ago, completed her hat trick at the 53:47 mark.
The majority of the play took place on The Citadel side of the field as the Terrapins finished with a 34-1 advantage in shots and 11-0 in corner kicks. Andrea Davila was wide of the goal late in the first half for the only shot attempt by the Bulldogs.
The Citadel completes its two-game road trip to open the season on Sunday at noon against defending Patriot League regular season champion Navy. The Bulldogs play their home opener next Friday against Jacksonville State, with kickoff at 4 p.m.
Austin Peay 4, Chattanooga 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s soccer team fell 4-0 to Austin Peay in the season opener for both teams Friday night at Finley Stadium as severe weather in the area brought the match to a halt in the first.
The Lady Govs picked up a quick goal from Tatiana Ariza in the seventh minute on an assist from Mary Ruth Locastro but would be held scoreless over the next 47:42. In that time frame, however, the two teams would spend more than 90 minutes in the locker room as lightning striking nearby put the game into a delay with 13:37 to play in the first.
Chattanooga was playing with a young backfield with a pair of freshman in defense while two more freshmen saw significant playing time.
After finishing up the first half, the two teams went into intermission with the Lady Govs up 1-0.
In the second half, APSU would score again, this time from Gina Fabbro with an assist from Emily Kink to give the Lady Govs a 2-0 lead. Chattanooga again stepped up and held off Austin Peay, but two quick goals late in the match would put it out of reach for UTC.
Ariza tallied her second goal of the game in the 77th minute and was assisted by Shelby Olszewski, who would score the fourth goal for Austin Peay less than a minute later.
The Lady Govs outshot Chattanooga 18-4, with 12 shots on goal to Chattanooga’s three. Nikki Filippone earned the win with two saves in 70:31, while Katie Emig finished off the game with one save. Chattanooga’s keepers also shared time in the net. Sophomore Lauren Thomas got the start and made six saves in 80:12 while allowing four goals. Senior Taylor Mangrum played the final 9:48 and snared two.
The Mocs return to action next Friday as they host Tennessee Temple at Finley Stadium. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m.
Furman vs. Presbyterian, ppd.
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Friday night’s season-opening women’s soccer match between Furman and Presbyterian at Stone Soccer Stadium has been postponed due to a lightning delay and wet field conditions, it was announced shortly before 8 p.m. A make-up date is expected to be announced as soon as possible.
The Paladins and Blue Hose were slated to kick off the 2013 season at 7 p.m., but a lightning storm delayed the game and a rain shower soaked the already water-logged turf of Seagraves Field.
The Paladins will travel to Historic Riggs Field in Clemson, S.C., to kick off the 2013 campaign against the Tigers on Sunday at 6 p.m.