Nov. 6, 2011

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Samford University soccer team advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in seven seasons Sunday as the top-seeded Bulldogs earned a thrilling 1-0 victory against the College of Charleston Cougars in the championship match of the 2011 Southern Conference Tournament.

"This was a huge win for us today and I am so proud of our players," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "I also want to thank the volleyball team for sticking around in Greensboro and cheering on our team. They were the 12th man for us and I think it really lifted our spirits throughout the match. This is a special team and I'm just glad that we get to represent Samford University in the NCAA Tournament."

Junior Adrianne Mancino scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to secure the Bulldogs' win and Samford's first SoCon Tournament title. The score was Mancino's third of the 2011 campaign.

With the victory, Samford (14-5-2) extended its winning streak to a school-record 10 straight matches. The Bulldogs also increased their school-record undefeated streak to 14-consecutive contests. Samford has not been defeated since a hard-fought 2-0 setback at Vanderbilt on Sept. 18.

"Anytime you go 14 matches without a loss, it is really something special," Yelton said. "We've won a lot of tight games throughout the stretch and today was no different. I'm so proud of our players for how resilient and hard-working they have been this season."

The Bulldogs advanced to the 2011 NCAA Tournament, which begins Friday at sites around the country. The selection show will air Monday at 3:30 p.m. (CDT) on NCAA.com.

Mancino's blast from 25 yards out with less than three minutes remaining in regulation proved to be the winning tally as No. 1-seed Samford defeated No. 3 College of Charleston (13-8-1), 1-0, in Sunday's championship match held at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.

On the decisive score, Mancino collected the ball and dribbled into space before launching her shot just above the outstretched arms of Charleston goalkeeper Cricket Wise at the 87:29 mark. The goal spoiled an exceptional effort by Wise who recorded five saves and kept the Bulldogs at bay for much of the match.

"On Mancino's goal, you could sort of see it developing, especially from our vantage point where our bench was located," said Yelton. "She found an opening in the defense and struck the ball well. She's a special player and even as a defender, she has the ability to find the back of the net. I told her earlier that if she had a chance to charge to goal then she should do it, and she really made a huge play for us."

Samford goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead notched her eighth shutout of the season, and second of the weekend, while corralling four shots. The clean sheet was the 34th of Whitehead's career, moving her into a tie with UNCG's Kelsey Kearney for the second-most in conference history and the most among active players.

The Bulldogs' Shanika Thomas was named the Most Outstanding Player of the SoCon Tournament, while Samford's Mancino, Sarah Wilkinson and Whitehead were also named to the all-tournament team.

"I thought our defenders were outstanding this weekend," Yelton said. "They faced off against a pair of very difficult teams and the stood up to the challenge. I also thought our midfield did a great job and our front line was able to tally the key goals whenever we needed them."

The Bulldogs had the best scoring opportunity of the first half when Lindsey Hansen drew a foul in the box in the 35th minute, earning a penalty kick. Wise stopped Thomas' attempt, however, diving to her right to make the save and maintain the shutout.

With the first half clock winding down, Samford was awarded an indirect kick inside the box when play was stopped as the ball became lodged beneath a pile of players from both teams. Mancino's attempt from eight yards away sailed high to end the half.

The Bulldogs' Wilkinson, Trine Taule and Amanda Abbott each had good looks at the frame midway through the second half but Wise and the Cougars' defense remained up to the task.

Samford's title is its first as a member of the SoCon, although the Bulldogs will be making their third NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. Prior to joining the conference, Samford advanced to the postseason in both 2005 and 2007.

2011 SoCon Tournament

All-Tournament Team
Alyssa Althoff, Furman
Caitlin Shelton, Furman
Katie Merson, Georgia Southern
Sara Oland, Georgia Southern
Hope Atkinson, College of Charleston
Hannah Gmerek, College of Charleston
Sarah Schaidle, College of Charleston
Adrianne Mancino, Samford
Shanika Thomas, Samford
Alyssa Whitehead, Samford
Sarah Wilkinson, Samford

Most Outstanding Player - Shanika Thomas, Samford