Saturday, August 20, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2005) - The ETSU women's soccer team continued with preseason preparations on Saturday at the Liberty Bell Soccer Complex, tying 1-1 with Morehead State.

            The teams played three 30-minute periods, with the Lady Bucs holding a sizeable offensive advantage after two periods. However, in the third period Morehead State pressured more on the offensive end and the game finished with the Lady Bucs holding only a slim 17-13 advantage in the shot category.

"Coming out of preseason practice we wanted to try some different things with players in different positions on the field," said ETSU head coach Heather Henson. "The ladies were willing to try some new things and we made some plays on both ends of the field. We made some strides as a team despite the tie."

The Lady Bucs scored their first and only goal of the game in the second period, when junior midfielder Alexandra Schwark (Strongsville, Ohio) took a pass from fellow junior Emily Fulcher and scored to make it 1-0 at the 11:27 mark.

Schwark's goal came after an impressive defensive play by sophomore Carrie Hill (Hixson, Tenn.) thwarted Morehead State's best scoring opportunity of the game. Hill, who entered preseason practice as a midfielder but has moved into the starting goalie slot, met her first significant challenge when Eagle's forward Kimmie Beiting had a one-on-one breakaway heading toward the ETSU goal.

Hill charged Beiting and dove horizontally to block the shot attempt away. For the game, Hill actually enjoyed a pair of important saves. However, her shutout bid was spoiled with just 5:29 left in the match, as a high shot by Morehead State's Kelly Busch snuck through Hill's outstretched arms and found the back of the ETSU net.

Despite the late goal, Henson was pleased with Hill's in-goal debut, especially when Hill knocked away a final Morehead State shot with just three seconds remaining.

"For her first collegiate game as a goalkeeper I think she did well," Henson said. "She was nervous as I think anyone would be, but I expect her confidence to just continue to grow."

Saturday's scrimmage was the Lady Bucs lone preseason exhibition game, as the team will open regular season play Friday, Aug. 26 at UNC Asheville. The Lady Bucs will open their home schedule on Sept. 9 against Radford.