Box Score Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team fell to the Appalachian State Mountaineers 2-1 on Sunday afternoon on the final day of the 2010 Winthrop Invitational at Eagle Field.
The Eagles fall to 0-1-1 on the season, while the Mountaineers improve to 1-1 overall.
“Appalachian State played a very good game today,” said head coach Spencer Smith. “We battled hard the last 30 minutes of the game.”
The first half was a defensive struggle as neither team was able to get many shot opportunities. Appalachian State held a 4-0 advantage over Winthrop in shots, with two shots on-goal.
The Mountaineers created the best scoring chance of the first half in the 29th minute on a free kick by Sam McVeigh. McVeigh's kick from 25-yards out dropped in front of the top post, which forced Eagle goalkeeper Sarah Schippers to knock the ball back into the air hitting the top post. The ball bounced back to the middle of the 18-yard box where Sydney Hill attempted a rebound shot from 13-yards away. Schippers snagged the shot for her second save of the first stanza.
Appalachian State struck first in the 49th minute on a goal by Hannah Coad. Coad gained possession of the ball after receiving a through pass by Taylor Dunlap and beat a Winthrop defender for a one-on-one chance against Schippers. Coad put her shot past Schippers just outside the 18-yard box and into the right side of the net.
The Mountaineers increased their lead to 2-0 in the 54th minute after Jordan Horvath scored from 30-yards out. Appalachian State stopped an Eagle attack with a long clear into the Winthrop defense. Horvath ran under the ball and placed her 30-yard shot over the head of Schippers, going in just under the top post.
The Eagles trimmed the Appalachian State lead to 2-1 in the 81st minute on Gabrielle Corn's first career goal. The goal came on a corner kick that was initiated by Tricia Vensel from the near side. Vensel lofted the ball into a crowd of players where Megan Pritts headed the ball in front to Corn, who put her header to the right past Mountaineer goalie Caroline Clarke.
“I was pleased and proud of our effort the last 30 minutes after falling behind 2-0,” Smith added. “We need to come out strong from the start and create better scoring chances as the season goes along.”
Appalachian State outshot Winthrop 9-8 in the contest and 6-5 in shots on-goal. The Eagles held the advantage in corner kicks 3-2.
Both Schippers and Clarke grabbed four saves apiece on the afternoon. Kylie Long led Winthrop with two shots, while Meggie Graham, Hill and Coad each had two shots for the Mountaineers.
Vensel and Allie VandeWater received All-Invitational Team honors for the Eagles.
Winthrop will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 5 when it travels to face the Jacksonville Dolphins at 2 p.m.
2010 Winthrop All-Invitational Team
Silvia Betancourt – Liberty (MVP)
Aimee Luurtsema – Liberty
Madison Short – Liberty
Maria Owen – Liberty
Hannah Coad – Appalachian State
Katy Dodd – Appalachian State
Taylor Dunlap – Appalachian State
Allie VandeWater – Winthrop
Tricia Vensel – Winthrop
Angela Desumma – Marshall
Sarah Vinson – Marshall
