ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team dropped a hard-fought match Saturday afternoon, 2-1 to the Presbyterian College Blue Hose.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Presbyterian (3-9, 1-4) managed only one shot in the opening 35 minutes of the contest but was able to find the opening goal in the 36th minute. Frances Whitesides collected the ball near the corner of the penalty area and launched a shot that got just over the arms of the Winthrop goalkeeper who was off the line.
Winthrop (4-7-1, 1-4) evened the match less than two minutes into the second half. Natalie Royaards got behind the Blue Hose defense and drove the ball to the end line. She cut the ball back to an oncoming Allie Thomas, who collected it after it tipped off the hands of the Presbyterian goal and easily placed it into the goal.
The Blue Hose found their game-winner in the 79th minute. After a Winthrop corner kick that was played short and quickly cleared, Presbyterian had an odd-man break. Megan Archer dribbled the ball 60 yards up the field and despite some Winthrop defenders recovering, she was able to lay the ball off to Jessica Powell whose shot ricocheted off an Eagle defender and into the back of the net.
STATS OF NOTE
Winthrop dominated possession of the ball in the first half but couldn't create many chances. Presbyterian outshot the Eagles 5-3 in the first half and 4-0 in the final 10 minutes of the half. The Eagles outshot the Blue Hose 14-12 for the game.
Lauren Kelly finished the match with five shots with two going on goal. Allie Thomas and Natalie Royaards each tallied two shots. Ashlynn Harris finished with four saves.
NEXT TIME OUT
Winthrop closes out its home stretch on Wednesday with a 6 p.m. contest against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs at Eagle Field.
