Oct. 24, 2008
Box Score
BOONE, N.C. -
The Samford University soccer team extended its undefeated streak to six-consecutive games Friday as the Bulldogs fought to a 1-0 Southern Conference road victory against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
"This was good tough win for us tonight," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "Appalachian State is a hard team to play especially in these conditions and the cold weather. It was 39 degrees and raining the whole time, but our players never let it get to them and they showed a lot of resolve in this victory. I'm very proud of them."
With Friday's shutout win, Samford (7-8-2, 6-1-2 SoCon) picked up its third-straight victory and remained undefeated in six-consecutive matches. The Bulldogs have not been upended since Oct. 3.
In Samford's last six games, the Bulldogs have not allowed a single goal and their lone blemish was a 0-0 draw at Wofford on Oct. 12. Since, Oct. 3, Samford has outscored its opposition 10-0.
Sarah Wilkinson, the Bulldogs' explosive freshman forward tallied the lone goal of the match during the 27th minute of play. The game-winning score was initiated by sophomore Leah Leppert who centered a pass to Wilkinson near the Mountaineers' penalty box.
Wilkinson, Samford's speedy native from Euless, Texas, gathered Leppert's pass, beat a defender and then rifled a shot off the post into the back of the net. The deciding goal was Wilkinson's third of the season.
Samford's Alyssa Whitehead, the reigning SoCon Player of the Week, started in goal for the Bulldogs on Friday and registered her third shutout of the 2008 campaign. Samford's highly-touted, 6-foot-3 freshman from Hattiesburg, Miss., has gone 535:53-consecutive minutes without allowing a goal.
"Alyssa played a great game for us tonight and our back line did an outstanding job as well," Yelton said. "Our defense has really been playing outstanding lately and that's been the main reason for our success. This was a big win for us, but we still have two more key games to play that are just as important."
Appalachian State (6-8-2, 2-6-1 SoCon) suffered its fourth loss in five games Friday.
Since Oct. 2, the Mountaineers have compiled a 1-5-1 record. Appalachian State has played better in road games this season. The Mountaineers are 4-4 when playing away from Boone, N.C., this year and 2-4-2 in home matches.
Appalachian State's offensive attack was led by junior forward Caroline Lowe. The native of Raleigh, N.C., attempted five shots Friday with one being on-goal.
"Appalachian State is a really good team and they fought hard the entire night," said Yelton. "(Head coach) Ben (Popoola) does an outstanding job with that program and he always has his team ready to play. They came out and played solid soccer against us tonight, but we were just able to get a key goal and pick up the victory."
Samford outshot Appalachian State 13-9 and the Bulldogs tallied one more corner kick than the Mountaineers 4-3.
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs continue their critical two-game SoCon road trip against the Western Carolina Catamounts. The matchup will be held at the Catamount Athletic Complex in Cullowhee, N.C.
