Women's Soccer Falls 2-0 at Davidson
11/1/2007 4:28:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DAVIDSON, N.C. ? Davidson notched a goal in each half to secure a 2-0, home victory over theGeorgia Southern women’s soccer team, Thursday night (Nov. 1) at Davidson’s Alumni Stadium, concluding the 2007 regular season.
The Eagles (3-12-2, 2-6-2) finish the season one win shy of post-season play in the Southern Conference tournament, which begins Sunday (Nov. 4). Davidson (13-4-1, 8-1-1) earns its fifth consecutive win of the season and enters the league tournament as the No. 2 seed behind undefeated UNC Greensboro.
The Eagles produced two scoring opportunities in the first half off the feet of junior Ashley Toussaint (Warner Robins, Ga.) in the 10th minute, and senior Katie Gosnell (Charleston,S.C.) in the 29th minute. But Davidson’s Bevin English stopped both to keep the game scoreless.
Senior goalkeeper Laura-Ashley Harris (Jonesboro,Ga.) also made a strong showing in the cage, making five saves early in the first half to help keep the Wildcats off the board.
But Davidson forward Blakely Low ended the drought by putting the Wildcats up on the scoreboard in the 39th minute, giving the home team the 1-0 advantage.
“We played well,” said head coach Ashley Hart. “I think we had a good first half and we kept possession well. Our midfielders did a good job of controlling the ball and changing the point of attack. The defense did a good job of limiting Davidson’s good chances at goal.”
In the 50th minute, Wildcat forward Suzanne Sittko added her team’s second winner on the evening for a 2-0 Davidson lead.
The Eagles tried to rally back in the second half, adding three more shots, including a look by freshman Michelle Berard (Kennesaw,Ga.) in the 81st minute. Senior Jennie Boykin (Ft. Lauderdale,Fla.) also helped the Eagles create opportunities up front and threatened to score in the 79th minute.
“Jenni Boykin did a good job of creating a lot of our attacking opportunities for us to get into the box.”
But the Wildcats held on for the shutout win, while tallying an advantage in total shots (19-5) and corner kicks (6-0).
Harris made a total 10 saves in a full day in the goal, while Davidson keeper English stopped three GSU shots on goal.
“Laura-Ashley did a good job,” said Hart. “She made some good saves in the back. We were just unfortunate. Sometimes that happens in soccer games. Davidson’s a good team. We played with them well and I’m proud of the way our team didn’t give up.”
