Rollins Gives West Florida A Run for Their Money
WINTER PARK, Fla.
(September 11, 2009) - The ninth-ranked
Rollins women's soccer team became the first squad to score on the No. 2
West Florida Argonauts this season in an eventual 4-2 loss to UWF on their
home turf at Barker Family Stadium and Cahall-Sandspur Field Friday. With
the loss, the Tars take their first set back of 2009 and sit with a mark
of 3-1-1, while the Argos stay perfect on the season and pick up a record
of 4-0-0.
The Tars exploded onto the pitch and took the Argos by surprise,
scoring just one minute into the contest, and then again in the seventh
minute of action to pull ahead to a quick 2-0 lead. Senior midfielder
Joy Powell set the Tars on fire with the opening goal after dribbling
around defenders and firing a quick touch past UWF goalkeeper Courtney
Jones.
The swift tally left the Argos in shock, allowing the Tars to control
the tempo and give a usually stingy West Florida defense a run for their
money. Junior midfielder
Mellissa Doerk headed a cross from sophomore
Ashley Waplinger to put the Tars up 2-0, but a determined combo of
Shakira Duncan and Shaneka Gordon combined for the Argos to put the
visitors on the scoreboard in the tenth minute of play and ignite a four
goal streak to give West Florida their fourth victory of the season.
Between the pipes for Rollins, sophomore goalkeeper
Michelle Dillingham had a solid night, making eight saves on the
evening and facing a total of 22 shots from a steadfast West Florida front
line. Paired with a back line of
Meagan Thomas,
Leah Hirsch,
Maia Ryan, and
Charlotte Murrell, the defensive line for Rollins proved to be a
perpetual force on one of the top teams in the nation, holding the Argos
to four goals and just 12 shots on frame.
Rollins became established themselves as a force, firing off 11 shots,
six on goal, and finding four corner opportunities. West Florida muscled
their way throughout the full 90 minutes of play as Rollins played a clean
game, leading the foul count 14-9.
The Tars will be back in action on Sunday, September 13 when they take
to the pitch for a matchup against Thomas University. Kickoff against the
Nighthawks is set for noon at Barker Family Stadium and Cahall-Sandspur
Field. Fans can catch all of the action live on the Tars Sports Network
at RollinsSports.com.