GREENSBORO, NC Freshman Katie Evans' game-winning goal kept the UNC Greensboro women' soccer team's unbeaten streak alive, as the Spartans took a 3-2 overtime win over the College of Charleston Cougars Sunday afternoon at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
With the victory the Spartans clinched their second consecutive Southern Conference regular-season title with only one regular season game remaining.
“It's a great feeling to clinch the regular season title on our home field,” head coach Eddie Radwanski said. “I think our team has done a great job all season and I'm looking forward to finishing out the season on Thursday and preparing for the conference tournament.”
Jenn Partenheimer and Mary Kate Towne led UNCG (12-3-1, 9-0-0 SoCon) with five and four shots, respectively. Karla Davis, Kelly Attayek and Evans recorded goals in the win.
Christy Barrow and Brittany Schneider recorded goals for
College of Charleston (9-7, 2, 6-2-2 SoCon). Cougar goalkeeper, Sarah Wiggers tallied nine saves in the loss.
“Whenever we play College of Charleston it's always a battle,” Radwanski said. “Their coaching staff always has them well prepared and we always expect their best game. I give our team credit for finding a way to win a hard fought game. They kept their composure and were able to finish strong.”
College of Charleston got on the board first with a goal from Barrrow in the 14th minute of the game. Megan Manthey was able to get through the Spartan defense and flicked a pass to Barrow, who put the ball just past UNCG goalkeeper Katherine Ryan to give the Cougars the early, 1-0 lead.
The Spartans wouldn't be down for long as Davis tallied her first goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Karam put a long ball into the box and Davis headed the ball into the right corner just past Wiggers.
The teams battled through the rest of the half with both teams having several scoring opportunities. Karam had a chance to put the Spartans up 2-1 with the goalkeeper out of position and the ball sitting on the goal line but couldn't find a way to put the ball in the net as the teams went into halftime tied.
In the 73rd minute, Attayek put UNCG up 2-1 after connecting with teammate Jennifer Bronson in the box. Jenn Partenheimer took a shot from the six yard line that rebounded out to Bronson. Bronson collected the ball for a shot and the ball rebounded onto the foot of Attayek who put it into the left side of the net for the score.
College of Charleston wouldn't go away and scored the equalizer in transition during the 78th minute. Schneider caught a slotted pass through the UNCG defense from Megan Manthey and put the ball past the outstretched hand of Ryan to tie the game at 2-2.
Both squads battled with through the end of regulation and the Spartans had several quality scoring chances but couldn't find the game-winner as the game went into overtime. UNCG controlled the ball for the better part of the overtime and got the game-winner when Davis sent a ball to Attayek who then connected with Evans inside the box for the UNCG victory.
The Spartans held a 21-11 shot advantage and an 8-5 corner kick advantage over the Cougars. Ryan collected three saves in the win while Evans was named the Greg Harrison Player of the Game.
The Spartans are next in action Thursday Nov. 1 when they play their final regular season home game. Prior to the game UNCG will honor the 2007 senior class.
AGATE
Goals by period 1 2 OT Tot
COFC 1 1 0 2
UNC Greensboro 1 1 1 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
13:55 COFC Christy Barrow (Megan Manthey) 22:09 UNCG Karla Davis (1) (Tina Karam) 72:44UNCG Kelly Attayek (8) (Jennifer Bronson;Jenn Partenheimer) 77:37 COFC Brittany Schneider (Megan Manthey) 98:58 UNCG Katie Evans (1) (Kelly Attayek)
Shots: COFC 11, UNC Greensboro 21 Saves: COFC 9 (Sarah Wiggers 9), UNC Greensboro 3 (Katherine Ryan 3), Corner Kicks: UNC Greensboro 8, COFC 5, Fouls: UNC Greensboro 11, COFC 8
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