April 22, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team earned the championship title of the 2006 Magnolia Cup on Saturday as the Bulldogs advanced past UAB, 4-3, in a penalty kick shootout, steamrolled Troy, 3-0, in the semifinals and then defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 2-1, in the tournament final.

By winning the Magnolia Cup, which featured all of the Division I soccer teams in the state, Samford earned the Alabama State Championship title and concluded its spring season.

"This was a great way for us to finish the spring," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "We played against three quality programs today and we were able to get some huge wins. I think that this will serve as a huge confidence-booster for us and it will help us to continue getting ready for the fall."

Samford opened play in the Magnolia Cup on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against UAB. Rebecca Bohler, the 2005 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, scored the Bulldogs' goal. Sophomore-to-be Morgan Montague was credited with the assist.

Following the conclusion of pool play, Samford and UAB faced off in a penalty-kick shootout and the Bulldogs outscored the Blazers, 4-3, to advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.

Against Troy in pool play, Samford received a pair of goals from leading scorer Heather Birdsell en route to a 3-0 victory. The Bulldogs' Kim Matthews also scored in the blowout win.

Samford and Alabama squared off in the championship game of the 2006 Magnolia Cup on Saturday.

Matthews, a 2005 All-OVC performer and senior-to-be for the Bulldogs, proved to be the deciding factor in the game as she scored both of Samford's goals in the 2-1 victory.

"Kimmie was awesome today," Yelton said. "She's really had a good spring for us and we've done a great job getting ready for next season. After what we accomplished last year and with what we have returning, we have high expectations, but winning this tournament will definitely help our confidence."

In 2005, Samford secured both the OVC's regular-season and tournament titles.

The regular-season conference championship was the Bulldogs' third in a row and Yelton was named the 2005 OVC Coach of the Year. The accolade was his second in three seasons.

Samford then outlasted Vanderbilt in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and became the first team in the OVC to advance to the second round.

The Bulldogs return all 11 players that started for the team in the 2005 NCAA Tournament and will boast 20 returning letterwinners and the addition of five highly-touted incoming freshmen.

2006 Magnolia Cup
Samford Match Results

First Round: Samford advanced past UAB, 1-1, 4-3 in penalty kicks
Semifinals: Samford def. Troy, 3-0
Championship: Samford def. Alabama, 2-1