Box Score
WinthropPhotos.com
LYNCHBURG, VA – Winthrop fell behind late in the first half and could not recover, as it fell 2-0 Saturday evening at Liberty.
The Lady Eagles fall to 6-6-1 overall and 3-2-1 in Big South Conference play, while the Flames improve to 9-5-1 overall and 3-2-1 in conference.
“I thought Liberty was the more assertive and aggressive team tonight,” said head coach
Spencer Smith. “We need to get back on the training ground and prepare for our next match”
Liberty was the aggressor early on, as Winthrop's defense did its best to weather a first half storm which saw the Flames own an 11-4 advantage in shots. Liberty was able to break through in the 38
th minute on Helena Pereira's third goal of the season as she got in behind the defense and shot into an open net. The Flames added to their lead four minutes later on Lauren Stell's fourth goal of the season, capitalizing on one of Liberty's seven first half corner kicks, to take a 2-0 halftime lead.
The Lady Eagles best chance of the night came in the 14
th minute when
Allie VandeWater played
Devin Puckett in behind the Flames defense. However, Liberty goalkeeper Lauren Blocker was able to get enough of a deflection on the shot to send it just wide to the left of goal.
Winthrop picked up its play in the second half but it was not enough to overcome the two goal halftime deficit.
Grace Radler attempted five shots in the half including her efforts in the 60
th, 64
th and in the 79
th minute which forced Blocker to make a trio of saves. Blocker finished the match with seven save en route to her seventh shutout of the season.
Winthrop utilized both goalkeepers,
Amelia Henderson and
Sarah Schippers in the match. Henderson started the match and was credited with the loss. Henderson finished the game with three saves. Schippers started the second half and kept the Flames from adding to their lead with four saves in 45 minutes of action.
The Lady Eagles return to action on Thursday, October 11 when they host VMI in a 6:00 p.m. contest at Eagle Field.
