FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8-27-06

College Soccer: AASU 3, Florida Southern 2

Release Courtesy of Florida Southern Sports Information

TAMPA, Fla. – Lyndsi Stricklen and Jamie Craine each had a goal and one assist as Armstrong Atlantic State scored three times in the final 25 minutes to defeat Florida Southern, 3-2, at the University of Tampa Invitational.

The Moccasins (0-2) had owned a 1-0 lead before the late scoring surge by the Pirates (1-1). The goal came with just under six minutes to play in the first half when left back Tara Walker stepped into the box to head in a corner kick from Linda Hoglund.

That goal held up until the 66th minute when Craine's pass from the center circle led Stricklen down the middle of the field for the game-tying goal. The Mocs withstood several more shots before the Pirates took the lead in the 77th minute, with Stricklen's play off a free kick setting up Emily Latner for a header in the box

Five minutes later, Craine blasted a 30-yard shot from the middle of the field to give Armstrong Atlantic a much-needed insurance goal.

Florida Southern narrowed the gap with four minutes remaining, again scoring off a corner kick. This time, Hoglund played the short corner to Brittany Bates, who sent a pass into the middle of the box. Halie Clark capitalized for the Mocs with a shot from close range, but they were unable to mount another serious threat.

The Pirates kept the pressure on the Moccasin defense throughout the game, with goalkeeper Kim Fish making nine saves for the second straight game.

Most of her difficult chances came in the second half as the Pirates gradually wore down the Mocs. They eventually finished with a 21-4 advantage in shots taken, including 14-2 in the second half.

AASU returns to action on Friday, September 1, as the Pirates open their home slate with a 5:00 p.m. contest against Presbyterian.

- Pirates -