College Soccer: No. 8 AASU 1, GCSU 0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9-29-07

College Soccer: No. 8 AASU 1, GCSU 0

SAVANNAH, Ga. (September 29) – Sophomore Kristin Burton headed home a free kick from Carey Patterson in the 52nd minute to give the No. 8-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women’s soccer squad a hard-fought 1-0 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting Georgia College & State University on Saturday afternoon at AT&T Field.

The Pirates (7-1-1, 3-0-1 PBC) again opened with a sluggish first half as the Bobcats (5-3, 1-2 PBC) recorded seven of the first eight shots of the match and pushed AASU to halftime locked in a scoreless tie. A foul just past midfield in the 52nd minute gave the Pirates a free kick opportunity, and Patterson delivered a service to the near post, which Burton headed past keeper Mary Rob Plunkett for what would be the game’s only tally.

GCSU’s best chance to equalize came in the 89th minute as a point-blank shot from the right side by Kayla Emerson was saved by freshman Tracey Mitchell, and the Pirates were able to kill the final seconds of the match in the Bobcats’ half.

Both keepers stood tall in what amounted to their first pressure starts of the season – Plunkett entered GCSU’s 2-1 loss at Lander on Wednesday in the 60^th minute and her strong play earned her a start on the road against the Pirates, in which she made three saves. Mitchell’s second career start came after an injury to starting keeper Tarra Kohler on Friday and the freshman responded with two saves in her second collegiate shutout.

GCSU carried a 13-9 shot advantage for the match, and the Bobcats had the only two corner kicks of the afternoon. Burton’s tally gives the PBC’s leading goal scorer 13 for the season.

The Pirates return to action on Wednesday, October 3, as AASU faces preseason PBC favorite Columbus State in Columbus at 7:00 p.m. The Bobcats next host USC Aiken on Wednesday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m.

- Pirates -