Eagle Women’s Soccer Falls in SoCon Opener to Samford, 2-1
9/21/2012 10:59:05 PM | Women's Soccer
// BOX SCORE // UPDATED STATS (9-21-12) //
VIDEO: Post-match Interview with Coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel
STATESBORO, Ga. – After battling back to tie the match just before halftime, Georgia Southern Women’s Soccer conceded a 69th minute goal to fall 2-1 against Samford in the SoCon opener for both teams.
“I think we had some good individual performances today,” said head coach Lindsey Vanderspiegel. “Zoe Van Gorder was solid at the back and Jessie Eberhardt did a great job coming in to replace Katey Lippitt when she got hurt early. We just had some team breakdowns that cost us goals today. We played well for great portions of the game and then we gave away opportunities that we shouldn’t, and credit to Samford, they did a great job capitalizing on those opportunities.”
Samford scored in the 10th minute off the first corner kick of the afternoon. The ball came to an Eagle defender who attempted a clearance from inside the six-yard box. That clearance made it just out of the six-yard box as Lindsey Hansen volleyed the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Samford advantage.
In the final minute of the first half, Georgia Southern found the equalizer with the help of a free kick on an advanced position. Freshman Nora El-Shami delivered the wide kick into the box, finding the head of senior Zoe Van Gorder. Her header from three yards out found the net for her first goal as a Georgia Southern Eagle.
Samford battled back to score the game-winning goal in the 69th minute. A ball from Trine Taule inside the penalty area found Michelle Moll free at the penalty spot for her first goal of the year.
The Eagles drop just their second loss of the year and close the first day of conference play at 4-2-3 overall and 0-1 in the SoCon. Samford is 4-5-0 overall and 1-0 in the league.
“All these conference games are important,” added Vanderspiegel. “The way we look at it, we lost three points today, and we’ve got a chance on Sunday to get three points back. We’re going to have to be ready to play Chattanooga.”
The Eagles continue SoCon play on Sunday as Chattanooga comes to Eagle Field. The afternoon matinee starts at 2 p.m.
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