UNCG advances to NCAA Second Round with 1-0 win over Memphis

CHAPEL HILL, NC – Mary Kate Towne’s header in the 72nd minute proved to be the game-winner as UNC Greensboro defeated Memphis, 1-0, in first-round action at the 2007 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship on Friday night.

UNCG (16-4-1) was led by Towne who tallied five shots and including two on goal. Jenn Partenheimer, Jennifer Bronson, Jamie Corti and Kelly Attayek also tallied shots for UNCG.

“I think that both coaches would say that this was a great game featuring two great teams,” said UNCG head coach Eddie Radwanski. “Both teams played very hard and although we both left some scoring opportunities on the field I think that this game was indicative of how much heart both teams had tonight.

Katherine Ryan tallied seven saves including three saves that were pushed right over the crossbar. The Spartans also made on team save in the win.

“I can’t say enough about Katherine Ryan, “ Radwanski said. “The way that she played tonight is the way that she has played for the past two years. She was smart and made excellent saves when it counted.

Memphis (17-4-1) was led by Emiko Schwab and Krista Turner, who both tallied three shots in the loss. Schwab’s goals were all on goal.

UNCG broke the stalemate with 18:00 minutes remaining in the second half when Mary Kate Towne connected with a Katelynn Donovan corner kick and pushed it far post just past Memphis goalkeeper, Isabel Briones to give UNCG the lead.

“I can’t say enough about Mary Kate Towne and how she has played over the last month, “ Radwanski said. “Her determination and drive on the field are great assets to our program and I couldn’t be more proud of her tonight.”

The Spartans tried to make it a two-goal lead with a similar play off of a corner but Corti couldn’t get to the ball quick enough and pushed it just wide.

Memphis had a good chance in the opening minutes of the second half when Ashley Berra slipped through the UNCG backline and almost put it behind Ryan for a score but Corti and Katie Evans managed to clear the ball and keep the score tied.

Harumi Someya almost gave Memphis the 1-0 lead tat the 36:06 mark of the second half with a well placed shot that was threatening to fall just under the cross bar but Ryan push it just up and out of the goal. Ryan again came up big with another huge save just seconds later, in similar fashion.

The Spartans and Tigers were knotted at 0-0 heading into halftime after both teams had quality scoring opportunities. The Tigers had seven shots with three coming on goal while the Spartans recorded four shots with two on goal.

UNCG’s best scoring chance came in the eighth minute when Jen Bronson collected the ball right outside the 18-yard box she then took a hard shot to the left but Memphis goalkeeper Isabel Briones scooped it up for the save.

UNCG and Memphis both had ample scoring opportunities to as the half winded down. Memphis had a chance on a shot just outside the 18-yard box with seven minutes remaining but Ryan made her eighth save of the night to keep UNCG ahead.

The Spartans, who advance to the second round for the fourth time in program history, will take on host North Carolina on Sunday at Fetzer Field. Kick off is set for 1 pm. This will be the second meeting between the teams this year as North Carolina defeated UNCG, 3-1 in Greensboro in September.

AGATE

Goals by period              1  2  Tot
Memphis                        0  0 -  0
UNC Greensboro             0  1 -  1

SCORING SUMMARY: 71:42 UNCG Mary Kate Towne (5) (Katelynn Donovan) Shots: Memphis 15, UNC Greensboro 10 Saves: Memphis 2 (BRIONES, Isabel 1; TEAM 1), UNC Greensboro 8 (Katherine Ryan 7; TEAM 1) Fouls: Memphis 7, UNC Greensboro 4, Corner Kicks: UNC Greensboro 5, Memphis 5

- UNCG -