Road woes continue for women’s soccer

Women’s soccer 3-8 overall and 2-2 in the Peach Belt Conference still couldn’t earn a win in a defense war at Clayton State University, or handle the nationally ranked University of Northern Alabama, for their third road loss in a row. 

Returning from a brutal 1-0 overtime loss at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., Georgia College wanted to start aggressively for the Saturday night match.

Offensively, the Bobcats handled the Lakers by taking 19 shots to Clayton State’s nine and doubled their shots on goal overall at 10-5.

“We had a lot of opportunities,” Head Coach Hope Clark said. “We hit post a few times and we couldn’t finish on our touches.”

A reoccurring theme over the past few games, GC showed up ready to play, but could not put it all together for a successful point.

“We had some really unlucky chances,” freshman goalie Annie Stephens said. “We have people up and they take great shots, but the last touch is what we need. We have to click as a team to get that.”

The goalie situation is still to the Bobcats’ advantage despite the recent losses. Three freshmen, Taylor Cornelius, Annie Stephens and Michelle DeMaris battle for the goalie spot every week. Cornelius represented her PBC Player of the Week honor getting to start in the box. She blocked two Clayton State blasts, but was unable to deal with an untimely bounce from Clayton State’s Lorna O’Connell.

O’Connell launched a throw-in towards the GC box with 11:47 remaining on the clock. Not clearing the ball well, a bobcat defender struck the ball back to O’Connell’s direction. She gathered the ball and lobbed a pass from 25 yards out in the middle of the penalty box. The ball was untouched as it bounced awkwardly and perfectly over Cornelius’s head for the only goal of the game putting Clayton State on top 1-0.

Freshman Annie Stephens relieved Cornelius in the second half. The Bobcats continued to pressure the Clayton State defense, but were unable to capitalize on anything. Clark rotated her defensive structure in hopes to land a goal.

“In the last two minutes, we switched from four in the back to three in the back,” Stephens said. Continuing to apply pressure, the Bobcats could not find the right pass and suffered another road loss.

The team returned from their Clayton State game for a quick breath and then piled on the bus for the eight-hour drive to Tuesday’s game against nationally ranked University of Northern Alabama. The Bobcats found themselves on a turf field for the first time this season and never got adjusted. Northern Alabama out-shot the Bobcats 29-1, with a 10-1 win in shots on goal as well.

“They scored in the first 45 seconds,” Stephens said.

UNA junior forward Chloe Roberts scored her eighth goal of the season and the first of the game. The Bobcats did well to fight off the UNA offensive attack for the majority of the first half. Close to the first whistle, GC freshman forward Erin Griffin netted the equalizer in a graceful chip, tying the nationally ranked Lions.

“We were excited to score a goal, especially from Erin because this was her first game back from injury,” Stephens said.

Her first game back from a torn ACL, Griffin watched freshman Ashley Veilleux’s free kick land in the box and kick back out. Both teams went into half even at 1-1.

“I was definitely nervous, but scoring the goal helped me build confidence. I had fun so it was good,” Griffin said.

Ten minutes into the second half, UNA’s Hollie Loud scored her second goal of the season and the winning point against the Bobcats. Stephens and Cornelius split even time in the net, both saving four shots in five tries. Ultimately losing to the Lions, the faced past play and aggressive style will benefit the Bobcats in their next conference game against Columbus State.

“This game prepared us for how fast Columbus State is,” Griffin said. “It puts us in the right mentality.” Columbus State will travel to Milledgeville on Oct. 8 for GC’s next conference game.

Posted by Taylor Lamb on Oct 6 2011. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.