Elon Edges Women's Soccer
10/14/2007 4:26:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ELON, N.C. ? TheGeorgia Southern women’s soccer team was edged by Southern Conference foe and match host Elon, Sunday afternoon, in a narrow 1-0 decision at Rudd Field.
The Eagles fall to 2-10-1 overall and 1-4-1 in SoCon play, while Elon improves its record to 5-7-1 overall and 3-2-0 in league action.
The Eagles and Phoenixbattled back and forth in the first stanza. Junior Ashley Toussaint (Warner Robins, Ga.) fired a pair of shots off while Jenny Anderson (Birmingham, Ala.), Susanne Rogers (Augusta, Ga.) and Katie Gosnell (Charleston,S.C.) each produced one shot on goal.
Likewise, the Elon offense peppered the goal with six shots in the first half. But defense played a key factor.
“I think we did a good job of controlling the pace of the game,” said head coach Ashley Hart. “Our defenders did a good job of eliminating the good opportunities that Elon produced.”
Goalkeeper Lauren Santos (Berwyn,Ill.) stopped all five of Elon’s shots on goal in the first half.
In second-half action, Elon’s Brittany Hallberg ended the scoring drought, scoring the game-winning goal in the 66th minute, which was assisted by teammate Molly Calpin.
Despite firing off six more shots in the second stanza, including a pair of late opportunities in the last minutes, the Eagles’ efforts to tie up the match came up short, and Elon garnered its third-consecutive victory on the season.
“It was an evenly played game,” said Hart. “We possessed the ball well and we did a better job of creating opportunities. Unfortunately, the ball just didn’t bounce our way today. Lauren (Santos) made two big saves in the first half for us. Ashley (Toussaint) was very dangerous up top. Unfortunately we just didn’t finish our opportunities. But overall, I was pleased with overall effort we had for 90 minutes.”
Santosstopped a total eight shots on the day, while Elon’s Lizz Johnson made five saves and picked up the win.
Elon held the advantage in shots (14-11) whileGeorgiaSouthern held the advantage in corner kicks (4-2).
The Eagles will return back to Eagle Field to hostWestern Carolina, Friday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.
