Sept. 24, 2006
Box Score
MACON, Ga. - Amid a mixture of weather conditions and extremely physical play from both sides, the Kennesaw State women's soccer team defeated Mercer, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Bear Field.
With the win, the Owls improve to 5-1-2 and 1-0-1 in the Atlantic Sun, while Mercer falls to 0-9-1 (0-1-1).
"It's always good to come out and win," said head coach Rob King. "The second game of a road-trip is always physical and this was no exception."
Both teams battled the elements early in the first half as a torrential downpour soaked the players for the first 30 minutes of the match. The Owls and Bears both managed to provide chances during the rain but none materialized into solid scoring chances.
But as the rain subsided, KSU started to control play and put together meaningful opportunities. In the 31st minute, Laura Tucker put two free kicks on goal that the Bears' keeper Jean Worts did well to save.
Then, in the 39th minute, the Owls struck gold, as Tucker netted her second goal of the season as she gathered a pass from Sara Clapham, took two touches and fired it past Worts to give KSU a 1-0 lead. Clapham and Lindsay Smith were each credited with the assist.
"That was classic Laura Tucker," commented King on the goal. "She found the target, and fired and the wet conditions helped us for sure."
The second half saw the Owls' defense pack in as the Bears pushed more and more forward. But as they have done all year, the KSU defense was up to the task, and despite being out-possessed for much of the half, limited the Bears to only three shots in the second 45 minutes.
The last 45 minutes of play also saw the level of aggressiveness increase as Rebecca Hall was sent off in the 89th minute after a takedown just outside the KSU box. Despite being limited to 10 players, the Owls held off the pesky Bears to stretch their unbeaten streak to six matches.
Pugh made four saves on the afternoon to record her sixth shutout of the season, while Worts made six saves in the losing effort.
The Owls now return home to the friendly confines of the KSU Soccer Complex to play Jacksonville on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.
