Mountaineers celebrate a goal earlier in the season against Furman (Photo: Ben McKeown) Game statistics

Women’s Soccer Clinches SoCon Tournament Berth, Blast The Citadel 5-0
by ASU Sports Information

Nov. 1, 2007 - CHARLESTON, S.C. - Buoyed by four second half goals, the Appalachian State women’s soccer team rolled over The Citadel 5-0, clinching their second straight trip to the post-season. Appalachian improves to 10-5-3 (4-5-3) and sits in sixth place in the SoCon with 13 points. The Citadel closes the season at 3-16-0 (0-10-0) securing last place in the conference.

“In the first half we had most of the possession and a bunch of chances, but we just couldn’t find the net ,” said head coach Ben Popoola. “The difference in the second half was intensity, we came out and made it a point to finish the game off. We did that and now we are in the playoffs.”

The Mountaineers controlled the run of play throughout the first half, but could not earn the opening goal until just before halftime. With less than five minutes left in the first half, sophomore Caroline Lowe netted her third goal of the season as she pushed home a cross from senior Courtney O’Brienin the 41st minute.

Appalachian led 1-0 entering halftime and looked to extend the lead early. Only 23 seconds after the re-start, freshman sensation Carella DiMaggio scored an unassisted goal to nudge the lead to 2-0. The goal was her fourth of the season.

The Mountaineer scoring machine cooled until the 81st minute as freshman Shannon Healy scored her first career goal by knocking the ball off a Citadel defender and into the net.

Only four minutes later in the 85th minute, sophomore defender Lauren Bouffard ranged forward to score her second career goal in the top-right corner. Bouffard was assisted by DiMaggio, giving the freshman three points on the day.

With 94 seconds remaining, senior Lindsey Talley scored her first goal of the season and fifth in the career. O’Brien fed the ball into the box to Talley who slotted the ball past the right post and into the net.

Sophomore Emma White started the match in goal and played 69:33 before being relieved by freshman Caroline Clarke. White made two saves while Clarke only needed to make one. The Mountaineer defense as a whole was spectacular, earning their tenth clean sheet of the season.

Appalachian owned the statistics taking 26 shots to The Citadel’s three. The Mountaineers put 12 shots on goal while the Bulldogs only placed three on target. Appalachian was whistled for 12 fouls to The Citadel’s six. The Mountaineers were also flagged offsides five times.

Appalachian will now wait to learn of their destination in the SoCon Tournament. Regardless of location, the Mountaineers next match will be on Sunday, November 4 at a time to be announced. Stay tuned to GoASU.com to learn about ASU’s fate.