Friday, August 19
Strong Second Half Propels Apps Past NKU
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University women’s soccer used a second-half explosion to down Northern Kentucky 3-1 in its 2016 regular season and home opener on Friday afternoon at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
“We watched them play on film and saw what they do, flee-flicking the ball to 12 and we told our the girls that this girl’s pace is incredible up top and this is what they’ll do and they’ll shoot from range,” head coach Sarah Strickland said. “We knew they were going to have opportunities. They just beat Western Kentucky, which is a really good women’s soccer program. They use to win the Sun Belt regularly. We knew it was going to be a battle and it was just going to be a matter of we have to get through it and wear them down and get through it and we knew that once we got used to their system, we could settle down and work our way out.
Strickland continued, “We tried not to adjust too much to what they were doing so that we could learn and keep our own style and work on that as opposed to just adapting. We could have fixed it from the very beginning and played a different formation but that wouldn’t have helped us for when we play Troy who does something of a similar flick-on style. It was we have to be disciplined about what we’re doing and we have to stick to the plan and play our way our of it, making them play us as opposed to us adjusting to play them.”
The Mountaineers faced a position they were familiar with from exhibitions by being down 1-0 in the first half. Despite 11 shots, App State couldn’t get the ball passed NKU’s goalkeeper, Emily Lohmann. Their best opportunity came as senior Aubrey Fletcher made a negative run toward the goal and only had the keeper to beat. Unfortunately, the shot sailed wide right, but it kept the pressure on the Norse despite being up.
In the second half, Appalachian found some daylight when Jane Cline rocketed a shot at NKU’s Lohmann, who couldn’t control it, forcing a rebound that junior Sarah Peatross found and sent through the uprights in the 53rd minute to equalize the match.
Not long after in the 56th minute, Cline was right at another rebounded shot, this time fired by Fletcher. Being at the right place at the right time, Cline lasered the ball in to go up 2-1.
With the goal, senior Cline moved into a tie for seventh all-time in program history for career goals (17).
The final goal of the game came
Little Rock Drops Season Opener to Northwestern State
LITTLE ROCK – The Little Rock soccer team began its season with a 2-0 loss against Northwestern State at the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex.
The Trojans outshot the visiting Demons 24-8 including a 13-5 edge in shots on goal, but they were unable to get a ball past Northwestern State goalkeeper Alex Latham.
The Demons got their goals from Brittany Caserma and April Trowbridge in the 62nd and 82nd minutes, both on passes through the defense that resulted in one-on-one breakaways against Trojan keeper Sara Small. Small had three saves in the loss.
Little Rock used 19 players in the game including newcomers Samantha Rolka, Doro Greulich and Jaylin Finney in starting roles. Harrison Hayworth got her first career minutes as well after missing all of last season with an injury. Arola Aparicio Gili and Shannon Shields were the Trojans' leading shot takers with five each while Greulich and Caitlyn Eddy had three apiece.
The Trojans return to the pitch on Sunday evening when they travel to nearby Central Arkansas for an in-state rivalry game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Coastal Draws Furman in Season Opener
Greenville, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina women's soccer team open up its season at Furman Friday evening which resulted in a scoreless tie after two overtimes.
The Paladins controlled most of the offense throughout the match and finished out shooting the Chanticleers 23-10 after 110 minutes of play.
After the teams settled in the first half, the two traded scoring opportunities but neither were able to find the back of the net.
Minutes into the second half, Furman tested the Chanticleer backline as the Paladin offense fired one off the post then bounced back up the middle for a rebound shot that was cleared off the line. Furman rebounded again but hit the post once again.
The play continued to look in Furmans favor but the Chants caught the Paladins off guard as Ellie Taylor connected with Daniella Famili at the top of the box but Famili hit a low, soft shot to the lower left corner for an easy save from Furmans goaltender.
Furman took advantage of a three verse two break late in the second half but was whistled offside. At the end of regulation, the two remained scoreless forcing golden-goal overtime.
The Paladins continued its high pressure in the first overtime testing Becca Austin and forcing the senior to make two crucial saves. Austin kept the Chants in the game making 10 saves -- all of which were on frame -- over the 110 minutes of play.
A counter attack from the Chants in the second overtime put Taylor in scoring position with a shot from 40-yards out but hit the cross bar.
In the final minutes of overtime, the Chanticleers looked for one last attempt in the final third but was unable to capitalize on its opportunity.
The Chanticleers will return to Conway for its home opener Sunday, Aug. 21st as they welcome Wofford. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on the Chanticleer Sports Network for free curiosity of Coastal Athletics.
Eagles Drop Season Opener to UNC Wilmington
The Georgia Southern women's soccer team opened up the 2016 season at home Friday night. The Eagles fell 3-0 to UNC Wilmington at Eagle Field. Georgia Southern travels to face Jacksonville State on Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT.
MATCH FACTS
UNC Wilmington (1-0-0) – 3
Georgia Southern (0-1-0) – 0
SCORING
26' – UNCW – Serenity Waters took a shot from the edge of the 18 yard box, which was saved initially by GS goalkeeper Emily Flinn. The loose ball which looked destined to go out for a corner kick, was struck by Nikki Cox as she slid just in front of the post to score the first goal of the game.
40' – UNCW – Cassidy Overstreet scored an unassisted tally hitting a shot that deflected in off an Eagle defender to make it 2-0.
72' – UNCW – Waters earned her third point of the game with a goal scored on a run from 26 yards.
NOTES
- Frida Brattum had two shots for the Eagles, who tallied 6 on the night.
- Georgia Southern played two goalkeepers in the match, with starter Emily Flinn making seven saves in the opening 45 minutes while allowing two goals. Lauren Karinshak came in for the second half, making three saves while allowing one goal.
- Seven newcomers played for Georgia Southern in the match, including three starters.
- Kickoff for the match was delayed by 50 minutes due to lightning in the area. Rain, however, began midway through the first half and abated at halftime.
NEXT UP
The Eagles take on Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, Ala. on Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Tickets to Georgia Southern athletics events can be purchased by visiting GSEagles.com/tickets.
Panthers Defeat Hornets in Opener
ATLANTA- The Georgia State women’s soccer team opened the regular season on Friday night defeating Alabama State 3-0. Senior Alexis Thomas had the game-winning goal and freshman Brooke Shank had her first career goal in the win.
Following a one-hour lightning delay, the Panthers took early control of the ball. The team had a great defensive showing, holding the Hornets to zero shots in the first half.
GSU had 13 shots in the first half, with senior Callie O’Connor leading the team with five. Two near goals were saved by Alabama State goal keeper Zaria Maynard, leaving the score 0-0 at the half.
The team continued to maintain control of the ball in the second half, making nine shots and holding ASU to just five.
In the 79th minute of play, Thomas scored the first goal for the Panthers with an assist from sophomore Caitlin Ray. O’Connor quickly followed with another goal two minutes later, putting GSU up 2-0. The final goal was scored by Shank with less than five minutes to play and another assist by Ray.
“It was good to get a win in the first game of the season, and it was great to see some of the things we’ve been working on come together at the end,” head coach Ed Joyce said. “Now we are looking forward to getting back on the field on Monday.”
The Panthers will return to the field on Monday for a clash against cross-town foe Kennesaw State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available at GeorgiaStateSports.com.
Ragin’ Cajuns Soccer Falls In Season-Opener At No. 22 Ole Miss, 3-0
OXFORD, Miss. – Addie Forbus scored a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes and Bella Fiorenzo added a goal in the 37th minute to lead No. 22-ranked Ole Miss to a 3-0 victory over the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the season-opener for both teams on Friday at the Ole Miss Soccer Complex.
Louisiana (0-1), playing for the first time this season after having a pair of exhibition matches canceled due to weather, will return to action on Sunday when it plays host to Alcorn State in a 4 p.m. match at the Ragin' Cajuns Soccer/Track Complex.
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns soccer team and the UL Student-Athlete Advisory Committee are joining the Lafayette community in assisting neighbors impacted by the recent flooding in south Louisiana.
Fans who attend the Ragin' Cajuns home opener against Alcorn State on Sunday are encouraged to bring canned goods and other non-perishable food items. Fans donating three or more food items for local food banks will receive discounted admission for only $3.
Forbus gave Ole Miss (1-0) an early lead in the opening minute of the match when she broke loose on the far side and scored from six yards out. She came back in the 15th minute off an assist from CeCe Kizer to put the Rebels up, 2-0, before Fiorenzo capped the scoring with her first goal of the season in the 37th minute.
"It took us time to figure things out," head coach Scot Wieland said. "Once we made our changes, the last few minutes of the first half and the entire second half, it was competitive."
The Ragin' Cajuns had four shots on the night, two of which came from freshman mid-fielder Melanie Groves. Senior forward Yazmin Montoya, who was named to the Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team, recorded one shot as did junior forward Ashleigh Cade.
Louisiana freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Lee got the start in goal for the Ragin' Cajuns and had six saves on the night.
"These games are all preparing us for conference," Wieland said. "It's our first game and we are trying to figure out who is going to play where and figure out what system is going to work best for us."
ULM Falls to South Florida
JACKSON, Miss. – The ULM soccer team fought hard but came up on the short end of the decision Friday afternoon falling 2-0 to #19 South Florida in the 2016 season opener for both teams. In the 62nd minute lightning forced the teams to clear the field and led to a 68 minute delay before the two teams were able to get back out on the field.
THE TURNING POINT
In the 28th minute, Jordyn Listro pushed the ball behind the Warhawks backline and Leticia Skeete was able to knock it home to give South Florida the advantage which they didn’t relinquish.
NOTABLES
-USF tallied 13 shots but 11 of them came in the opening half as ULM’s defense clamped down and held South Florida to only two in the second 45 minutes.
-Brooke-Lynn Scroggins, 2015 Sun Belt Conference leader in saves and saves per game, started the year effectively with seven saves this afternoon.
-USF outshot ULM 13-2, with Maia Mumford tallying both of the Warhawk shots with one of them being on frame.
-ULM lost the corner kick battle 6-4 however three of the four Warhawk corners came in the second half.
-Friday’s game was the first game for Warhawks head coach Keyton Wheelock. She became the fourth head coach in Warhawks soccer history.
-Friday’s matchup with #19 South Florida was the first ranked opponent to face the Warhawks since Aug. 27, 2013 when #25 LSU hosted ULM. This was the first time in ULM soccer history that they have hosted a ranked opponent.
USA SOCCER, SAMFORD BATTLE TO SCORELESS DRAW
MOBILE, Ala. – Despite outshooting Samford 17-13, including 8-4 on goal, the University of South Alabama soccer team was unable to find the net in a 0-0 draw with Samford Friday night at The Cage.
The game was the season opener for both teams.
"I couldn't be prouder of the girls," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "I thought it was one of the best performances we've had since I've been here. Samford are a very good team with amazing players. We've got 11 players of the game over here, but their goalkeeper was very special tonight, so all credit to her.
"It's a great result, 0-0 against a team like Samford, but on the night I felt we deserved a little bit more. Hopefully we can have a little more luck on Sunday when we entertain Auburn."
The two teams combined to hit the post and crossbar three times, once each from juniors Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) and Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.). Henley put four of her five attempts on net.
"I thought we did a decent job at switching the point of attack," Winkworth said. "We possessed the ball reasonably well. We were patient in the final third, and we created some decent opportunities and weren't just hitting it from anywhere. The woodwork wasn't on our side today."
The Bulldogs' Katie Peters made eight saves in net while going the distance. She had five stops in the second half alone, as the Jaguars put up 10 shots to Samford's three.
In the extra periods, Samford outshot South Alabama 5-2 but was able to put just one on target.
Senior Sarah Hay (Waxahatchie, Texas) made four saves for the Jaguars, who held the Bulldogs to four shots on goal in 13 attempts.
"We were very strong defensively," Winkworth said. "We've got so much talent, not only from the starting group tonight, but sitting on the bench as well. Our backline is phenomenal and we defended well from the front too. I couldn't be prouder of them."
South Alabama hosts No. 12 Auburn Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Strong Second Half Propels Bobcats to Season Opening 2-0 Win at Lamar
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Two second half goals gave the Texas State women's soccer team a 2-0 victory Friday night over Lamar at the LU Soccer Complex. Tallying the two scores were senior Clarissa Leon and junior Kassi Hormuth.
The Bobcats start the season 1-0 while the Cardinals are 0-1. With the win, TXST improved its record to 7-0-1 against LU.
Late in the 12 minute, Hormuth took a hard shot from distance that forced the Cardinals' goalkeeper Rachel Gries to make a diving save. Kira Zapalac put all three of her shot attempts on goal but each one was stopped by Gries.
The Bobcat had an opportunity exactly 50 minutes into the game but Lauren Prater pushed her shot just wide of the far right post after a through ball from Rachel Grout.
Late in the 56th minute, goalkeeper Kathryn Budde was whistled for handling the ball outside of the box to give the Cardinals a free kick. The kick, however, was sent directly into the wall and the ball was eventually cleared out of the TXST's defensive zone.
Leon broke the scoreless game with a goal in the 70th minute by knocking in a cross from Grout. Alyssa Phelan also was credited with an assist on the play.
Seven minutes later, Hormuth increased the lead to 2-0 when she beat the goalkeeper with a hard, low shot. Freshman Jordan Kondikoff set up the score for her first collegiate assist.
Hormuth attempted a career-high eight shots and placed six of them on goal. Zapalac set a new career best with four shot attempts as well.
Budde was credited with her first career win and made one save on the night. Starting the game was fellow freshman Heather Martin, who also made a stop.
LU was led offensively by Angelica Hernandez with two shots. Gries made 13 saves in her collegiate debut between the posts.
Next up for TXST is the team's home opener at Bobcat Soccer Complex on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Prairie View A&M.
Live stats will be available for Sunday's games and will be broadcast on the radio in the San Marcos area on KTSW 89.9 FM.
Admission to all home soccer games are free of charge. For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.
Troy Soccer Kicks Off Season with 2-0 Victory
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Troy soccer team opened its 2016 season on the right foot with a 2-0 win over Gardner-Webb at Greene-Harbison Stadium on Friday.
Despite having seven shots in the first half, Troy (1-0) was unable to crack the scoreboard until Brooke McKee tucked away a cross from Abby Reynolds in the 54th minute. Reynolds got a goal of her own 20 minutes later when she one-timed the ball into the net off a rebound.
STAT OF THE GAME
Troy ripped off 15 shots against the Bulldogs, six on frame. The Trojans also recorded seven corners in the match while allowing just two.
QUOTABLE
"I thought that we played well overall," head coach Jason Hamilton said.
"We played a lot of people knowing that we have a tough weekend with a lot of travel. We came out strong in the first half with seven shots, but we weren't thrilled that it was 0-0 (at halftime); we have to take advantage of those opportunities. I thought we came out in the second half, stepped up and had some good looks at goal and converted."
MOMENT THAT MATTERED
The Trojans went into the locker room at half time having just missed on several scoring opportunities. McKee landed the game's first goal on the first chance Troy took in the second half kick starting the attack and leading to four shots over the next 15 minutes of play.
UP NEXT
Troy travels to Birmingham to face Samford. The Bulldogs holds an 8-1 advantage in the all-time series, though the teams have not played since 2004.