Box Score Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team picked up its first Big South Conference victory of the season with a 2-1 win over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Friday evening at Eagle Field.
The Lady Eagles improve their overall record to 4-9-2 and 1-4-1 in the conference, while the Bulldogs fall to 4-8-1 on the season and 1-5 in conference play.
“I am excited that we got a win and excited that we got a lot of players in the game,” said head coach Melissa Heinz. “The work ethic was strong and high tonight. It wasn't a pretty game, but we found a way to win tonight. I'm proud of my players for that.”
Winthrop came out early and missed three scoring opportunities in three straight minutes. Ariel Kunde had a one-on-one chance in the 12th minute after receiving a through pass from Jessica Hausfeld, but UNC Asheville goalkeeper Veronica Lazar made a sliding stop before Kunde could take the shot. Kunde had another chance in the 13th minute, but her shot was blocked by Lazar. Hausfeld followed that up in the 14th minute with a shot from 10-yards out that hit the top crossbar and was cleared by a Bulldog defender. Hausfeld took the shot after Lazar mishandled a crossing pass.
UNC Asheville struck first in the 28th minute after Katy Beeler scored on a left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box. She received a pass in a crowd of Lady Eagle defenders, but managed to put her shot past goalkeeper Kelsy Weavil in the bottom left part of the net.
Winthrop would respond to tie the game at 1-1 right before the end of the first half on Lia Gordon's first collegiate goal as an Eagle. Lazar could not handle a crossing pass and Gordon managed to fight off the diving goalkeeper and a Bulldog defender to score on the open net.
The Lady Eagles had a chance in the 48th minute to take the lead, but a shot by Tricia Vensel from 25-yards out hit the top crossbar and a follow-up shot by Gordon sailed high of the net.
The same scenario happened for Winthrop just two minutes later as Katie Perkinson's shot was blocked by UNC Asheville, Hausfeld got the rebound and had her shot blocked as well, and Gordon put her shot high.
The Lady Eagles scored the go-ahead goal in the 65th minute on a crazy play that resulted in Vensel scoring her third goal of the season. Kathryn Leach placed the ball in a crowd of players at the front of the net, and the Bulldogs were unable to clear the ball out of the crowd despite numerous efforts. Vensel took advantage of the opportunity and scored in the open net.
Winthrop then had an opportunity to put the game away in the 67th minute after Sydney Ransom was fouled by a UNC Asheville defender inside the goal box, and was awarded a penalty kick. Courtney Durbin took the penalty kick, but goalkeeper Megan Dent made a diving save to her left and kept it a 2-1 contest.
The Lady Eagles outshot the Bulldogs 14-10 in the match and also led in shots on-goal 5-4. Winthrop held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Durbin and Gordon led Winthrop with three shots apiece, while five different players had one shot on-target. Weavil finished the match with three saves.
Meagan Bradham had a team-high three shots for UNC Asheville, and was one of four players to have one shot on-target. Lazar snagged two saves against the Lady Eagles, while Dent finished with one.
Winthrop will return to action on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. as it hosts the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Senior Day.
