Sept. 8, 2002
Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. -
Lindsay Shanks found the back of the net with an assist from Allison Provine in the 69th minute to give Samford a 1-0 victory over McNeese State and claim at least a share of the Nike Post City Classic championship on Sunday.
The Bulldogs moved to 4-0 on the season by recording their third shutout of the season. Samford has allowed just one goal in its first four matches. Goalkeeper Crystal Royall notched her third shutout of the season.
Samford controlled the run of play throughout the match out shooting the Cowgirls 21-5. McNeese State goalkeeper Toni Deason made three saves on Bulldog breakaways to keep McNeese in the match.
"Sometimes you win without playing particularly well," said Samford head coach
Todd Yelton. "Good teams find a way to win when things don't go their way. We didn't finish well today but we found a way to win. It's always great to play quality teams and come out on top and that is what we did this weekend."
Shanks has scored at least one goal in the Bulldogs last three matches giving her four goals on the season and 13 in her career. Provine's assist was the first of the season.
Samford will await the outcome of the Birmingham-Southern/South Alabama match to see if the Bulldogs win the tournament outright. If Birmingham-Southern wins the Panthers and Bulldogs will share the title, if South Alabama wins the Bulldogs will have claimed their second tournament title in two weeks.
"Our veteran leadership is in our defense," said Yelton "We have given our opponents limited opportunities to score and Crystal has been great in net when we have given up opportunities. When your 4-0 you should be developing a winning mentality where you expect to win instead of hoping to win."
Samford will take that winning mentality on the road to open Atlantic Sun Conference play on Thursday. The Bulldogs travel to Mercer for a 6 p.m. CT start. Samford is 4-1 all-time against Mercer.
