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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University soccer team will open its 2013 home schedule Sunday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs welcome the Tennessee Lady Vols to the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium for a key early-season matchup.
The contest marks the beginning of three straight Southeastern Conference home opponents for the Bulldogs. The arduous season-opening stretch will also include meetings with Auburn and Vanderbilt.
Samford (0-1) heads into Sunday's match with hopes of bouncing back from a 2-0 road loss to Memphis on Friday. The Bulldogs outshot the Lady Tigers, 6-0, in the second half, but couldn't overcome a pair of early goals.
With its season-opening loss, Samford moved to 3-3 all-time against Memphis. Offensively versus the Lady Tigers, the Bulldogs' attack was paced by dynamic true freshman Malcanisha Kelley, who finished with three shot attempts.
In Friday's contest, 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.
At the half in Memphis, Tenn., 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. In goal, highly-touted true freshman Katie Peters made her first collegiate start and tallied three saves.
Tennessee (1-0) opened its 2013 campaign Friday with a momentous home victory against Oklahoma. The Lady Vols pounced on the Sooners for a 3-1 triumph and received goals from Caroline Brown, Cheyenne Spade and Tori Bailey. Defensively, Tennessee's goalkeeper Julie Eckel played the entire 90 minutes and only allowed a single goal.
The Bulldogs will square off against Tennessee for only the second time in school history Sunday, and the first time held in Birmingham. Last year, Samford opened its season at Tennessee and dropped a 4-0 decision on the road in Knoxville, Tenn. Two years ago, the Bulldogs hosted the Lady Vols in exhibition play and fought to a 0-0 draw.
Samford head coach Todd Yelton is the school's all-time winningest coach with 135 victories. The Bulldogs' highly-decorated skipper has led Samford to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2005, 2007 and 2011.
Samford's senior midfielder Trine Taule is ranked ninth on the school's all-time scoring list with 16 career goals. The Bulldogs' native of Frekhaug, Norway, only trails current leader and former Bulldog-great Marian Wagner by 10 goals.
Shanika Thomas, Samford's two-time team captain, has only missed a single match in her collegiate career. She has started in 64 of the team's 65 contests, including 58 straight dating back to Sept. 17, 2010.
Following Sunday's home-opening contest, the Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 7 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs face off against their second straight SEC opponent in the Auburn Tigers. The in-state matchup will be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
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Live Stats
Samford Media Guide
