Box Score
Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- For the second time this season, the Samford University soccer team earned a hard-fought one-goal triumph against the Appalachian State Mountaineers. In Sunday's opening round of the Southern Conference Tournament, the Bulldogs defeated the Mountaineers, 1-0, to advance to Friday's semifinal round of competition to be held in Spartanburg, S.C.
 
"I thought our team really battled out there today," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "I also have to give full credit to Appalachian State. They did a fantastic job as well and they brought a lot of energy to the match, especially in the very beginning. I thought that they caused us a lot of problems early on, but our players never gave up and I can't say enough about their courage and their integrity."
 
With Sunday's 1-0 victory, the No. 4-seed Samford (13-5-2) advanced to face top-seed Furman on Friday at 4 p.m. The semifinal round and championship match of the 2013 SoCon Tournament will be held at Wofford's Snyder Field. Furman advanced to the semifinals by defeating Western Carolina, 2-0.
 
On the other side of the bracket, the homestanding Wofford Terriers will square off against No. 2-seed Elon at 6:30 p.m., Friday. Elon cruised past Davidson. 3-1, on Sunday, while Wofford needed penalty kicks to upend the third-seeded UNCG Spartans.
 
"I thought our players really respected the game today," Yelton said. "We've certainly lost a few players to injury this season, but our team has never gotten down or given up and they've just done a fantastic job. They keep showing up each match and giving a great effort throughout.
 
Appalachian State (8-7-4) opened Sunday's matchup with the vigor of a trapped mountain lion and quickly rattled off a pair of shot attempts at Samford goalkeeper Melissa Montgomery. The Bulldogs' defense continued to get stiffer throughout the match and didn't allow a single Mountaineer shot attempt in the final 80:39 of the contest.
 
With its defensive back line basically impenetrable, Samford's offensive attack gradually continued to take chances and attempted five shot attempts in the first half.
 
Despite three or four really good scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes of play, the Bulldogs' lone goal of the match actually occurred on an Appalachian State own goal.
 
On the game-winning score, Samford's Diana Getzewich contested a key 50-50 ball near the midfield circle and the ball was sent up ahead to Hallie Georgi, who was streaking towards the goal from the right flank. On its way towards Georgi, the ball was inadvertently deflected by Mountaineer defender Nicole Steyl and caromed into the left side of the net.
 
The Bulldogs' decisive goal was scored just 10 seconds before halftime.
 
"When you look at that goal, I thought it was a testament to a player coming into the game and making a huge difference," said Yelton. "If Diana doesn't pressure that ball and Hallie turns it off with the little time that was left in the half, then maybe we don't get it at the end of half. You have to understand that it was their work-rate and desire there at the end that put pressure on Appalachian State and helped the ball bounce our way."   
 
Samford outshot the Mountaineers, 13-2, with five of its attempts being on-goal. The Bulldogs also dominated the stat sheet in corner kicks, 6-1.
 
"We certainly missed some open looks tonight, but the ball definitely bounced our way on the goal that we scored," Yelton said.
 
Appalachian State's goalkeeper Megan Roberson finished the match with three saves, while Mountaineer defenders were also forced to make a pair of stops. The Bulldogs' offensive attack was paced by both senior Trine Taule and true freshman Olivia Cole, who registered three shots apiece. All three of Taule's attempts proved to be on-goal.
 
"In a game like this, 50-50 challenges are very important," Yelton said. "The ball was in the air a lot near midfield and I thought that Appalachian State was much better than we were early in the match. But as the match wore on, we got a lot better at it and I can't say enough positive things about our seniors. I felt they had tremendous leadership, great fight and at this stage of the season, everybody realizes that if you don't win it will be the last time that this group gets together in this situation."
 
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 4 p.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs square off against the top-seeded Furman Paladins in the semifinal round of the 2013 SoCon Tournament, which will be held at Wofford's Snyder Field in Spartanburg, S.C.
 
The winner will advance to Sunday's title match will be held at noon and will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
 
Earlier this season, in Samford's regular-season meeting with Furman, the Bulldogs dropped a 2-1 decision on the road in Greenville, S.C. The loss snapped Samford's 17-match conference road undefeated streak, which dated all the way back to Sept. 26, 2010.

Box Score