College Soccer: No. 8 AASU 3, Newberry 0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-6-07

College Soccer: No. 8 AASU 3, Newberry 0

SAVANNAH, Ga. (October 6) – Sophomore Kristin Burton’s two early goals and a stellar defensive effort in net by freshman goalkeeper Tracey Mitchell led the No. 8-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women’s soccer team to a 3-0 victory over visiting Newberry College on Saturday afternoon at AT&T Field.

Armstrong Atlantic had been held scoreless in the first half of its last two matches, but Burton made sure that would not happen Saturday as she took a through ball from Carey Patterson and beat Newberry keeper Danielle Beckerle in just the third minute of the match for the first goal. In the ninth minute, Burton would again deliver as Shana Neves’ header off of a deflection found Burton onside in the box for her second goal of the match and 15^th goal of the season.

Down by two goals in the first 10 minutes, Newberry (5-4-4) picked up its pace of play and outshot the Pirates in the first half, 9-6. Switching to a three-forward lineup in the second half, the Indians continued to pressure the defense, but Mitchell made five second-half saves and eight overall to preserve the shutout, her third in four starts for the Pirates this season.

The Pirates (8-2-1) would tally a third goal in the 89^th minute on a counter attack as junior Jen Brian’s long ball found junior Lyndsi Stricklen down the left side, resulting in an easy chip for the final tally of the match.

The Indians would hold a slim shot advantage for the match, 18-16, and enjoyed a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks. Newberry’s closest scoring opportunity came in the 59^th minute when a direct kick from Inga Woiwode from just outside the box hit the crossbar.

Burton’s 11^th career multi-goal match also improves a streak in which the Pirates are 15-0 all-time when she scores the first goal of the match.

The Pirates return to action on Tuesday, October 9, as AASU hosts Flagler at 4:00 p.m. in a match originally postponed from early September. Newberry returns to action on Tuesday as well, hosting USC Aiken a 4:00 p.m.

- Pirates -