Oct. 28, 2003

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Kim Matthews kicked in her fourth game-winning goal of the season off an assist from Allison Stone in the 86th minute to give Samford a 1-0 soccer victory at Birmingham-Southern.

The goal was set up as Stone made a run down the right flank and sent in a cross to the far post that Matthews was able to get her foot to and put past BSC goal keeper Andria Gray for the matches only tally. The goal was Matthews' sixth of the season and Stone's first assist.

Samford (11-4-3) controlled the run of play for most of the match but really put pressure on the BSC defense in the final 10 minutes of the match. The Bulldogs had three quality scoring chances before Matthews' tally.

The Bulldogs had two chances in the 80th minute; Hayley Kolb had a shot to the near post that was saved by Gray. Seconds later, Heidi Kearns had a shot from 20 yards that went just over the crossbar. In the 85th minute Kearns again had a shot sail high.

Birmingham-Southern's (5-10-2) best opportunity of the second half came on a free kick in the 50th minute as Bevin O'Neill took a shot from 35 yards that was blocked by the Samford defense.

Samford goalkeeper Crystal Royall recorded her eighth shutout of the season making one save while Gray was forced to make five saves for the Panthers. It was Samford's 11th shutout of the season. The Bulldogs out-shot BSC 18-4 in the match and held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.

"I thought we played very well tonight especially in the second half," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "BSC made it difficult for us to score by holding numbers in space. I thought it was vital that we play well after our last effort. We want to be playing with confidence heading into Friday's match."

Samford had the runoff play most of the first half despite going into the half 0-0. The Bulldogs best chance to score in the came in the 16th minute as Stone collided with Gray, Stone's shot slid off the outside of the near post.

BSC's best scoring chance came in the 30th minute as Samford committed a foul just outside the penalty area. O'Neill took the free kick and hit it straight into the Samford wall; the rebound came back to O-Neill who shot high over the crossbar.

Ssmford's final match of the regular season will be on Friday as it hosts Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. If the Bulldogs win they win the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and will host the conference tournament next week.