GREENSBORO, N.C. - Kristin Player's goal just before halftime proved the difference as UNC Greensboro picked up a 1-0 win over Chattanooga on Sunday at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The Spartans improve to 10-6 overall and 6-2 in the Southern Conference with the win. Chattanooga falls to 6-6-1 overall and 1-6-1 in league play.
Player scored the game's only goal at the 42:18 mark. Redshirt freshman Stephanie Partenheimer got the play started in the midfield, tapping the ball back to Lauren Lopez just over the midfield stripe. Lopez lofted a perfect pass into the box for Player, who redirected it without breaking stride for her seventh goal of the season.
For Player, the goal put her into a tie with freshman Tabitha Padgett for the team lead in goals. Partenheimer's assist was the first point of her career.
Player's goal was all the offense the Spartans would need on the day, as UNCG's defense shut down the Lady Mocs, who came into the contest scoring a league-best 2.17 goals per game, and the SoCon's leading scorer, UTC freshman Becca Smith. Smith had five shots on the afternoon, but put just one of them on frame.
UNCG had another golden scoring chance with just over 30 minutes to play, when sophomore Nicole Danford made a run down the left side of the field and played a perfect ball across the net. Padgett came streaking in and made a sliding attempt to get a boot on it, but missed what would have been a sure goal by just inches.
Kelsey Kearney picked up the win, making one save in earning her sixth shutout of the season. The shutout was also the 17th of her career, putting her just one back of fifth place in school history. Laura Mussulman had 18 from 1988-91.
Taylor Davidson worked the final 73:31 in goal for the Lady Mocs, allowing one goal and making five saves. Sydney Dewberry made three saves in 16:29 before departing after a collision with UNCG's Jen Bronson.
UNCG held a 24-10 shot advantage and had five corner kicks to Chattanooga's three.
The win wrapped up a three-game homestand for the Spartans. UNCG returns to action on Friday, Oct. 23, when it will face first-place College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C. Opening kick is set for 7 p.m.
AGATE
Chattanooga (6-6-1, 1-6-1 SoCon) vs. UNC Greensboro (10-6, 6-2 SoCon)
Date: Oct 18, 2009 Attendance: 198
Weather: 50 degrees and cloudy
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Chattanooga 0 0 0
UNC Greensboro 1 0 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 42:18 UNCG Kristin Player (7) (Lauren Lopez;Stephanie Partenheimer)
Shots: Chattanooga 10, UNC Greensboro 24
Saves: Chattanooga 8 (Sydney Dewberry 3; Taylor Davidson 5), UNC Greensboro 1 (Kelsey Kearney 1)
Corner kicks: Chattanooga 3, UNC Greensboro 5
Fouls: Chattanooga 5, UNC Greensboro 12
- UNCG -
