Women’s Soccer Stuns UNCG Again with 1-0 Victory
10/28/2012 9:38:47 PM | Women's Soccer
VIDEO: Post-match interview with Coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel
VIDEO: Post-match interview with M Nora El-Shami
VIDEO: Post-match interview with GK Katie Merson
VIDEO: Post-match interview with D Zoe Van Gorder
// BOX SCORE (PDF) // UPDATED STATS (PDF) //
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Southern Women’s Soccer took an upset victory over UNCG for the second-straight year in the opening round of the SoCon Women’s Soccer Tournament. The Eagles scored with 1:48 remaining on Nora El-Shami’s fifth goal of the season. With the win, GSU will face Elon in the SoCon Semifinals on Friday in Birmingham, Ala.
“It was another hard-fought game between Georgia Southern and UNCG, but we are thrilled to get the victory today,” said head coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel. “I’m very proud of this group of girls to play with persistence. They didn’t give up and it got us the win today against a very good UNCG team.”
The Spartans took the majority of shots in the contest, leading GSU 12-5 in the total shot count. It was GSU’s goalkeeper, Katie Merson, who kept the Eagles in the contest, making four saves including three in the second half.
With time winding down and the teams tied at 0-0, freshman Nora El-Shami got free on a breakaway. The freshman cooly scored her fifth goal of the season, fooling the UNCG keeper for the goal and the GSU victory.
The victorious Eagles improve to 9-7-4 on the year while UNCG ends the season at 12-7-1, surrendering its first goal since October 5th, ending a run of six-straight shutouts.
“Last time we played Elon was the weekend where we lost against them and UNCG,” said Vanderspiegel. “We felt that we were as good as both teams that weekend. Now we’re excited to get our second shot against Elon on Friday night in Birmingham.
Southern advances to the SoCon Semifinals and a matchup with Elon. The tournament, hosted by Samford, continues on Friday night from the Samford Track & Soccer Stadium.
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