FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-18-06

College Soccer: AASU 2, UNC Pembroke 0

Release Courtesy of UNC Pembroke Sports Information

PEMBROKE, N.C. - Visiting Armstong Atlantic got a controversial first half goal from Maggie Kennedy and a second half transition goal from Shana Neves to support a bend-but-not-break defense and slip by homestanding UNCP, 2-0, in the midst of a heavy curtain of fog Wednesday evening in women's college soccer action at the Irwin Belk Complex.

The Braves (6-10-1, 2-5-1 PBC) got two or more shots from three different players in registering a 13-11 shot advantage over the Pirates. AASU (14-3-0, 7-1-0) was held to one of its lowest shot totals of the season, but still picked up the victory and clinched the second seed when the Peach Belt Conference tournament begins next Wednesday.

With heavy fog settling its way on to the playing surface of the Belk Complex, AASU made good on its first real quality chance of the game in the 34th tick. After a pinball-like effort from both sides in front of the net, the ball looked to have been cleared out of the area by the
Braves' defense, but far linesman Larry Honeycutt raised his flag signaling the ball had crossed the plane of the endline. After a brief conference, center official Richard Adasiak signaled that the Pirates had, indeed, scored the game's first goal.

The Pirates came out of the halftime gates with a bit more urgency and, just 10 minutes in, padded their lead out to a pair when Ashley Elam found a streaking Shana Neves in transition and Neves finished off the scoring play with a shot to the far post. UNCP had its chances to cut the lead, but Melanie Cobb's 73rd minute shot from close range was saved by Kohler and her 87th minute breakaway strike was blocked by the Pirates' defense.

UNCP will return to action on Saturday when the Braves close out regular season play by hosting USC Aiken (5-4-1, 4-2-1) in a pivotal Senior Day contest at the Belk Complex. AASU returns to action on Friday as the Pirates host Georgia College & State University at 4:00 p.m. at Cingular Field.

- Pirates -