Box Score
Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- In its 2013 season opener, the Samford University soccer team couldn't overcome a pair of early goals from the Memphis Lady Tigers in a 2-0 loss held at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs outshot Memphis, 6-0, in the second half of play, but their late resurgence came up short in a tough road opener.
"In the first half, we just weren't very good at all," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "Now, we played much better in the second half and I thought that we seemed to control the pace of play in the final 45 minutes. We started five true freshmen tonight and we were in a very tough environment to open the season. I am very pleased that we closed out the game with some momentum and we have some good things to build from."
Samford (0-1) will next be in action Sunday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs welcome the Tennessee Lady Vols to the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium for a pivotal early-season matchup.
Memphis (1-0) extended its winning streak against the Bulldogs to three-consecutive contests and evened the all-time series between the teams at 3-3. Samford has not beaten the Lady Tigers since a 1-0 home victory on Sept. 8, 2007.
In Friday's match, Memphis' opening goal was scored by junior forward Nugene Nugent and was assisted by Christabel Oduro. The opening goal of the evening was tallied in the 18th minute of play and was angled by Nugent from the left side of the box into the right corner of the net.
Just over seven minutes later, the Lady Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 as Valerie Sanderson gathered a Kaitlyn Atkins corner kick and connected on her first goal of the 2013 campaign. Sanderson's score was tallied in the 25th minute of play.
"Their first goal was a very good goal and there wasn't really much that we could have done about it," Yelton said. "On the second goal, we just let one of their players run free on a set-piece and they made us pay for it. That's the one that I was most disappointed in, but our defenders really played better in the second half and we didn't allow a single shot in the final frame."
At the half, Samford's early sluggish performance was highlighted by a 9-0 deficit in statistical shot attempts. In the final 45 minutes of play, the Bulldogs outshot Memphis, 6-0, but couldn't persuade the ball to find the back of the net.
Offensively, Samford's offensive attack was paced by three shot attempts from dynamic true freshman forward Malcanisha Kelley. The Bulldogs' Taylor Borman, Anna Allen and Trine Taule all added one shot attempt apiece.
In goal, highly-touted true freshman Katie Peters made her first collegiate start and tallied three saves.
"All in all, there were definitely some good things to take from this match, but there were also some things that we need to work on," said Yelton. "We are nowhere near close to the finished product right now and we realize that we still have some major strides to make. I think we have the potential to be a very good team, but we have some very tough matches ahead of us and it's not going to get any easier on Sunday."
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Sunday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs welcome the Tennessee Lady Vols to Birmingham, Ala., for a key early-season matchup to be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
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Box Score
