Women's Soccer Wins Opener, 2-1

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville women's soccer team opened the 2014 season with a 2-1 victory over Chattanooga at Greenwood Field Friday afternoon.

 

The Bulldogs (1-0-0) built a 2-0 lead with a goal from Amanda Dailor in the first half and Kennedy Garrett early in the second half before holding for the victory. Senior forward Kaitlyn Eckert had two assists for the home team. Chattanooga got a goal from Crystal Mackezyk late in the match.

 

Asheville controlled much of the match and out-shot the Mocs (0-1-0) 26-7. UTC goalkeeper Lauren Thomas made six saves in 65 minutes of action, while Hannah Dunn stopped five Bulldog shots in 24 minutes of work.

 

The home team had the upper hand early with nine of the first 10 shots of the match. Finally, Asheville struck in the 18^th minute when Eckert crossed a ball into the box. Dailor was able to head the ball into the back of the goal for put the Bulldogs in front 1-0.

 

Asheville had several other chances in the first half as it owned a 12-3 shot advantage, but Thomas made two saves and several opportunities were just missed.

 

The Bulldogs struck quickly in the second half as Eckert found Garrett open on the right side. She connected on a blast from 15 yards out to push the lead to 2-0 at 46:03.

 

Asheville had other chances to score more goals as freshman Caroline Houser had two breakaways stopped by Thomas. Freshman Brooke Miller just missed on two shots that Dunn stopped.

 

The Mocs hung in the match and got on the board when Mackezyk scored at 77:09 on a shot from six yards out to cut the lead to 2-1. Emily Moseley and Amanda Ortiz added assists on the play.

 

The goal gave Chattanooga some energy and with four minutes left they nearly tied the game. On a free kick into the Asheville goal area, two Moc players had shots blocked by Bulldog defenders.

 

Senior goalkeeper Heather Muller earned the win for the Bulldogs with three saves in 65 minutes of action. Freshman Keller Dixon made two saves in the final 25 minutes of work.

 

UNC Asheville is back in action this Sunday afternoon at USC Upstate at 1 p.m.