Pirates trounce Bulldogs in first round match, 5-0
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The fifth-seeded Armstrong State Pirates avenged a loss in last season’s first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 5-0 obliteration of the fifth-seeded Wingate Bulldogs Friday afternoon in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Women’s Soccer CHampionship at McCown Field as the Pirates advanced to face the top-seed Carson-Newman in the second round.
Press Conference Transcription
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The fifth-seeded Armstrong State Pirates avenged a loss in last season's first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 5-0 obliteration of the fifth-seeded Wingate Bulldogs Friday afternoon in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Women's Soccer CHampionship at McCown Field as the Pirates advanced to face the top-seed Carson-Newman in the second round.
In a rematch of last season's opening round NCAA game that saw Wingate pick up a 1-0 win, the Pirates were the team to strike first this year as sophomore Amanda Green volleyed in a header from McKenzie Anderson, coming on a corner kick from Sarah Olin, in the 18th minute for the early one-goal lead.
The Pirates built that lead to 2-0 as senior Taylor Valley took a through ball from sophomore Jenny Allen and beat Wingate goalkeeper Alexis Jones left in the 30th minute. Armstrong State would enjoy a 10-2 edge in shots in the first half and it was the first time that the Bulldogs had given up multiple goals in the first hall all season.
Armstrong State wasted little time in the second half putting the match away, getting a pair of goals from Olin in a five-minute stretch. Her first goal came just 52 seconds after intermission, slotting in a cross from Amanda Green inside the far post for the 3-0 advantage. Olin then got onto a flick from sophomore Olivia DeJong and beat Jones in the 50th minute for her second goal of the game.
Amanda Green capped the scoring for the Pirates, beating Jones left on a feed from freshman Asa Thorsen in the 63rd minute for the final 5-0 tally.
Armstrong outshot Wingate 22-5 with the Pirates registering double-figure shots in each half. The Bulldogs did not put a shot on goal in the contest.
Wingate goalkeeper Alexis Jones registered seven saves, but allowed five goals in the loss. Heading into the contest, Jones had conceded just five goals all season. Senior Morgan Luckie did not concede a goal or make a save in 77 minutes in goal.
Armstrong advances to face Carson-Newman at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. The game will be broadcasted on the Eagle Sports Network with Michael Wottreng on the call.
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