Box Score STATESBORO, Ga. – The Samford University soccer team opened its 2012 Southern Conference schedule on a high note Friday as the Bulldogs posted a 2-1 road victory against the scrappy Georgia Southern Eagles in a physical, hard-fought contest held at Eagle Field.
 
“It's always great to go on the road and get a win,” said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. “I'm extremely happy for our team, because playing at Georgia Southern on a Friday night is a very difficult test. We're very happy and very proud of our team for how they played.”
 
With Friday's conference-opening victory, Samford (4-5, 1-0 SoCon) extended its winning streak against SoCon opponents to 11-straight matches. The Bulldogs have not been defeated by a conference foe since Nov. 7, 2010, when Samford came up short in a 1-0 decision to UNCG in the championship match of the SoCon Tournament. Since then, the Bulldogs are 10-0-2 against SoCon opponents.
 
In 2011, Samford's lone draws of the conference season occurred versus Elon and The Citadel. The Bulldogs' scoreless tie with The Citadel on Oct. 2 was their latest result before starting the current 11-match winning streak.
 
Samford's goals Friday were scored by sophomore Lindsey Hansen and junior Michelle Moll. Moll's key goal, which was tallied in the 69^th minute of play, proved to be the game-winner as she rifled home a shot from the middle of the field near the penalty spot. Moll's key score was her first of the 2012 campaign and was assisted by Trine Taule.
 
“Michelle had an outstanding match today and I think she showed why she was predicted to be one of the top players in the conference,” said Yelton. “I also think we need to tip our hats to Georgia Southern, because they really battled hard today. This was a very tough match for us and facing Georgia Southern is definitely not easy.”
 
Georgia Southern (4-2-3, 0-1 SoCon) was defeated at home for a second straight match Friday. On Sept. 9, the Eagles dropped a non-conference duel versus Georgia State, 3-2. Georgia Southern moved to 2-1-2 when playing at Eagle Field this season.
 
Zoe Van Gorder scored Georgia Southern's lone goal of the match less than a minute before halftime. The tally evened the score at 1-1 and proved to be her first of the season. Van Gorder's goal was assisted by Nora El-Shami and was headed in from six yards out following a free kick.
 
Samford's opening goal of the match was scored by Hansen in the 10^th minute of play. On the key early goal, Hansen gathered a corner kick from Adrianne Mancino, turned and rattled off a shot from eight yards out that found the back of the net. Hansen's goal was the first of her Samford career, while Mancino's assist proved to be her first of the 2012 campaign.
 
“Lindsey's goal was huge for us for a number of reasons,” said Yelton. “It was big because it gave us an early lead and it was also important because it came off a set-piece. Last week, we outnumbered our opponents, 20-2, in corner kicks, but were frustrated by not scoring a single goal off them. I think Lindsey's goal today really gave us some good early confidence. Plus, I'm proud of her to score her first goal.”
 
With Friday's victory, Samford extended its winning streak against Georgia Southern to seven-straight matches. The Bulldogs' have never been defeated by the Eagles and their lone blemish in the all-time series was a scoreless draw held Sept. 9, 1997.
 
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Sunday at 2 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs continue their arduous two-match weekend road swing against the Davidson Wildcats at Alumni Stadium (2,000) in Davidson, N.C.