College of Charleston
UNC Greensboro
Women?s Soccer Falls at UNCG in Overtime
9/29/2012 2:40:00 AM | Women's Soccer
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The College of Charleston women's soccer team suffered its first Southern Conference loss on Friday night when the Cougars fell, 2-1, in overtime to UNC Greensboro at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The Cougars (3-7-0, 2-1-0 SoCon) were narrowly outshot in a contest dictated by great goalkeeping on both ends. CofC created several quality opportunities and possessed well but ultimately couldn't get the breaks needed to claim the result.
“It was a really good team performance for our side,” said head coach Christian Michner. “We're obviously disappointed with the loss, and in overtime it's always tougher because it's so abrupt and so final. But, our girls worked extremely hard and played for each other. We got great leadership out of our seniors and definitely took steps forward tonight. We'll regroup and look to be ready for another battle on Sunday.”
Sarah Cardamone (Downingtown, Pa.) scored her team-high third goal of the season when she headed home a corner kick sent in by Maryam Buazza (Katy, Texas) to equalize the match late in the first half, but UNCG's 93rd-minute mark proved to be the decider.
The Spartans struck first in the 13th minute when Zoe Fishman headed in a corner kick sent in by Ashley Stokes for her second goal of the season. The corner-kick opportunity was one of nine produced by the Spartans.
CofC equalized in similar fashion in the 33rd minute when Buazza connected with Cardamone on one of the three corners CofC produced.
The teams took the 1-1 tie into the locker room at the half and played an extremely physical second half which summoned 12 foul calls from the officials after just five in the first half.
The Spartans struck on the first shot of overtime just over three minutes into the period. Lauren Hein put a pass behind the Cougar defense and Chesney White ran onto it and found herself one-on-one with Cougar keeper Eli Sarasola (San Sebastian, Spain). Sarasola made a valiant play on the ball from a vulnerable position but White eked it past her and slipped the ball into the net for the game winner.
Sarasola made five saves on the match, many of which were seemingly impossible.
The Cougars stay on the road and return to action on Sunday, Sept. 30 with another conference rival in Elon. The Cougars and Phoenix are set to kickoff at 2 p.m.
