Women's Soccer: USF Scores Home Win
September 27, 2009 02:58 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
September 27, 2009
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TAMPA – USF capitalized on a pair of scoring chances and held on late to earn its first-ever win over West Virginia, 2-1, in women’s soccer action Sunday afternoon at USF Soccer Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Trailing 2-0, All-American midfielder Carolyn Blank put the Mountaineers on the board with a header in the 84th minute to cut the deficit in half. Nicole Mailloux’s 11th corner kick of the afternoon was flicked on by midfielder Caroline Szwed to Blank, who beat USF goalkeeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi from 6-yards out.
The Mountaineers (4-3-4, 1-1-1) had plenty of scoring chances throughout the game and pressured USF but could not find the back of the net. West Virginia finished with a 12-7 shot advantage and 11-1 edge on corner kicks.
The Bulls (4-4-2, 1-1-1) took an early 1-0 lead off a free kick less than four minutes into the match. A foul outside on the left flank led to a cross that was mis-cleared, leaving midfielder Alexandra Eagle with a clear shot on goal. Eagle slotted a ball from 14-yards out into the left corner for the Bulls’ fastest goal of the season.
USF added to its lead at the 78:05 mark on a goal from leading goal-scorer Nicole Pineiro. Forward Chelsea Klotz sent a through ball to Pineiro, leaving her one-on-one with WVU goalkeeper Kerri Butler. Pineiro slotted a ball past Butler for the 2-0 lead.
Seven of West Virginia’s corner kicks came in the opening 45 minutes of play. WVU’s best chance was denied on a team save from USF’s Valerie O’Brien with roughly 8:30 to play. Forward Blake Miller one-timed a corner kick at the far post when O’Brien extended her leg at the post for the save.
In the 20th minute, forward Megan Mischler freed herself from a defender and fired a long shot from outside box, forcing Lofton-Malachi to make a punch save, sending the ball over the crossbar.
Miller put West Virginia back into the attack with the first shot on-goal of the second half. She raced by a USF defender, sending a hard shot, low on the ground from 16-yards out with Lofton-Malachi making the stop.
With 31:39 left forward Taylor Patterson slotted a through ball up the middle to Klotz who found herself one-on-one with Butler. Butler quickly charged off her line to come up with a brilliant sliding save to prevent the score.
Butler played well, finishing with five saves, as WVU’s defense allowed two goals in a match for the first time this season.
Miller paced WVU offensively with six shots.
Next up for the Mountaineers is a home match against 2008 NCAA runner-up Notre Dame on Friday, Oct. 2. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the match will be televised live on ESPNU.
The match is also a "Dollar Night" with all tickets and select concessions available for purchase for just $1 each. The contest is also a "Gold Rush" as all fans are encouraged to pack the stadium and wear gold.
