After a defensive struggle in the first half, the Arkansas
State soccer team (3-0) continued its best start in program history by scoring
three goals in the second half to down the Ladies of Centenary (1-2).
“I was very proud of our girls for finding a way to win
tonight on the road, I thought that the majority of the game we created the
better chances,” said head coach Derek Pittman.
Arkansas State scored its first goal in the first minute of
the second half (45:43) when freshman midfielder Kai Gear one timed a pass to
freshman forward Kara Nitti, who shot the ball into the goal. Gear was supplied
a long free kick from sophomore defender
Miranda Wiley which allowed Nitti to get into scoring position.
Gear then improved the Red Wolves lead to 2-0 in the 61st
minute (60:33) off the rebound of a shot from freshman midfielder Elin
Stavren-Eriksson. Gear led ASU with four
shots, with a goal and an assist.
Centenary answered back by scoring two goals in less than
one minute. Amanda Exford scored the first goal in the 75th minute
(74:50) off a corner kick which was then followed up 51 seconds later by Katie
Valdez, who evened the tally at 2-2. Valdez led all players with six shots.
“We have to learn from the situation and not let teams back
into the game. It should have been more of a comfortable win,” said Pittman.
Sophomore forward Anna Kalghirou scored the game winner by
beating Centenary goalkeeper Kate Donnelly from inside five yards off a pass
from senior forward Markie McRae.
“I challenged the team tonight to win and fight for each
other for 90 minutes, and I felt that they did that when our backs were against
the wall. Past teams may have folded under the adversity, but our kids found a
way to win and that is a mark of a mature team,” added Pittman.
The win marks only the third time in program history that
ASU has defeated Centenary.
The Red Wolves outshot the Ladies 18-15 in the match,
including doubling Centenary's output in the first half, 10-5.
Freshman goalkeeper Megan Stoltzfus made four saves, three
of which were made in the second half, playing the complete game for the Red
Wolves.
ASU continues its road swing at Stephen F. Austin on Sunday.
Kick off in Nacogdoches, Texas is set for 1 p.m.
