JONESBORO, Ark. (9/6/09) – A quick turnaround didn't seem to bother the Arkansas State (3-2) soccer team as they won the inaugural Red Wolves Cup with a 4-0 shutout win over Grambling (1-3) in the championship match Sunday at the ASU Soccer Park.
The Red Wolves had only 27 hours rest in between their first and second round games during the Red Wolves Cup due to lightning in the Jonesboro area on Friday.
Sophomore defender Stasha Siers earned tournament MVP honors being placed on the tournament team with fellow ASU players Susan Brown, Kara Nitti and Ashley McMurtry.
“It was exciting to have UCA, MVSU and Grambling involved in this tournament. It was a great weekend for our kids,” said ASU head coach Derek Pittman. “It is definitely something we want to do on an annual basis and it was exciting to win ourselves a trophy for ASU soccer.”
The Red Wolves scored their first goal in the 39th minute (38:16) when sophomore Anna Kaloughirou sent a pass to freshman Chelsea Fricke who found the back of the net from the center of the field.
After the break, ASU scored three goals in less than 20 minutes. Sophomore Karly Kuranda one timed a pass from Lyndsey Patterson sending a laser to the top right of the goal in the 61st minute (60:59). Kuranda then assisted Kara Nitti on her first goal of the match when she took a corner kick. Nitti got a head on the ball and sent it straight into the net. The goal in the 73rd minute (72:19) was the second goal scored by Nitti on a header in as many days.
Ashley McMurtry took a pass from 20 yards out from Tory Pitts firing ASU's last goal into the upper right corner of the net, giving ASU their final 4-0 advantage in the 80th minute (79:12).
The Red Wolves held a firm advantage offensively; taking 28 shots to Grambling's four with 21 shots on goal.
“With the way we are playing keeping our legs fresh in the midfield and with our forwards it creates a lot of chances for us,” said Pittman. “I was definitely proud of our kids that they stuck to the game plan and kept creating chances after chances and those goals went in for us. More importantly for me was just the intensity of our team. They were willing to tackle and fight for 50/50 balls; they realized what it is going to take. They are going to have to scrap and claw for victories. We have to be able to work hard too.”
Susan Brown played all 90-minutes in goal for ASU making three saves and turning in her first solo shutout of her collegiate career. Her counterpart Cherie Silas made 17 saves in goal for Grambling, taking the loss.
“I think one of the biggest concerns we had coming into the season was our back line and how our defenders and goalkeepers were going to do in tough games. Grambling presented a lot of problems for us in the first half and it was good to see our back line stay organized and our goalkeeper come up with some big saves,” added Pittman. “To get two shutouts in one weekend is a high point for us. It makes me very proud for our kids.”
ASU sophomore Michele Clark took six shots on goal to lead the Red Wolves in the match. Nitti had four shots, three on goal, while Lucy Brient had three shots, two of which were on goal.
ASU returns to action at the UTEP tournament next weekend. The Red Wolves play Weber State on Friday and Sam Houston State on Sunday.
RED WOLVES CUP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Stasha Siers, ASU (MVP)
Kara Nitti, ASU
Ashley McMurtry, ASU
Susan Brown, ASU
Cherie Silas, Grambling
Ashley Baker, Grambling
Kendra Fox, Grambling
Kayla Boyd, Mississippi Valley
Danica Barnes, Mississippi Valley
Kari Mars, UCA
Tara Garza, UCA
