Box Score ROCK HILL, SC—The Winthrop Lady Eagles' soccer team fell 1-0 to the UNC Asheville Bulldogs Wednesday night in their Big South Conference Opener at Eagle Field.
The Bulldogs got off to a quick start in the first half when Emma Houser headed a shot towards goal off of a corner kick, forcing Winthrop's
Karly Gustafson to make a save early in the 2
nd minute. Minutes later, Winthrop got a corner kick of their own with
Courtney McLeod sending a cross into
Megan David who headed it just wide of the goal. Gustafson came up with another big save when a shot was fired at her in the 15
th minute. The Winthrop goalie finished with five saves on the night.
It was all Eagles for the remainder of the half. They were dominant on possession but could not connect in the final third. Winthrop out shot UNC Asheville 6-2 in the first half with four of their shots on goal.
Again the Bulldogs started the half testing Gustafson but she was there to make yet another save. The following 15 minutes featured a defensive stand off as neither team could find the right touch. However in the 63
rdminute, Winthrop came close to taking the lead when they fired a flurry of shots on goal. Things seemed to be going the Lady Eagles' way until the 71
st minute when the Bulldogs' Caroline Houser was able to find the back of the net off the assist from Zoe Lewis.
For the final 20 minutes of the half Winthrop pressed for a late equalizer. They tested UNC Asheville's goalie Lily Brown forcing her into many critical saves. Although the opportunities were there (Winthrop outshot the Bulldogs 13-7) the Lady Eagles couldn't slip the ball past Lewis and the match ended 1-0.
Winthrop, 3-4-1, will look to rebound from this loss when the Lady Eagles travel to Boiling Springs, NC to face Gardner-Webb this Saturday, Sept. 26 at Greene-Harbison Stadium beginning at 7:00 pm.
For the latest information on Winthrop women's soccer, follow @WUWOMENSSOCCER on Twitter or go to
www.winthropeagles.com
