MOBILE, Ala. ? The Arkansas State (3-5, 0-1 SBC) women's
soccer team came back twice from being down a goal, but ultimately a penalty
kick in the 81st minute (80:33) proved to be the deciding goal, 3-2,
in favor of South Alabama (3-6, 1-0 SBC) in both squad's Sun Belt Conference
opener at the Cage Friday night.
“I am extremely proud of our team in the effort that all our
individuals put in tonight,” said ASU head coach Derek Pittman. “We came back
twice from being a goal down to get back into the game and our players deserve
to hold their heads up high and be proud of their performance. “
The Jaguars scored their first goal in the third minute
(2:33) when Liz Clark took advantage of a collision between ASU goalkeeper
Megan Stoltzfus and another player after a corner kick early in the match.
Freshman midfielder Michele Clark took a corner in the 24th
minute (23:36) which senior midfielder Bernadette Dierker converted into ASU's
first goal of the match. USA's goalkeeper Kelsie Langford missed the ball
trying to defend the corner and Dierker took advantage of the misstep, evening
the match at 1-1.
Brandi Smith put the Jaguars back on top after Kelly Tarrant
got loose in the midfield and sent the ball at the goal, Stoltzfus saved that
shot, but Smith converted the rebound into a 2-1 lead for USA.
Senior defender Chelsea Hopkins took a direct kick from 30
yards out which bent perfectly over the wall of South Alabama players, falling
into the bottom right of the goal to knot the match at 2-2 in the 81st
minute (80:06).
Less than 30 seconds later (80:33) Jaguars' player Sam
Stocker scored the winning penalty kick.
“Although we are disappointed in the loss this is a great
way for us to begin conference play with this type of performance and we will
continue to take this kind of mentality into the game Sunday and hopefully pull
off a win against Troy,” commented Pittman.
Dierker led the Red Wolves with two shots and a goal, while
Stoltzfus made five saves in goal for ASU.
South Alabama outshot the Red Wolves, 9-7, with the Jaguars
taking eight shots on goal to ASU's three.
The Red Wolves continue will action in the SBC by traveling
to Troy for a 1 p.m. match Sunday.
