Mars Hill, N.C. – The Eagles maintain an impressive start to the season after registering their first conference win of 2017, defeating Mars Hill 5-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Meares Stadium.
After a one-week layoff, Carson-Newman (4-0, 1-0 SAC) wasted no time as Holly Talbut-Smith put home her first goal of the 2017 season on a feed from sophomore midfielder Lara Hallgrimsdottir. The Crawley, England native took the Hallgrimsdottir pass and out ran the Lions' defense connecting on a shot from the left side of the box to take the 1-0 lead.
"Solid performance and great win on the road for our first conference win," exclaimed Coach Simon Duffy.
It would then take until the second half for the Eagles to open the flood gates, as they outscored opponents 10-1 in the final 45 minutes entering the day.
"Another slow start for us and should have been up by more at the half," explained Duffy. "Delighted for sure with the second half display there. Some great goals from the gals!"
Hallgrimsdottir added to her point total on the evening with her first goal of the season in the 56th minute, ripping home a shot from outside of the box on a dish from Lauren Wade.
Talbut-Smith followed up on her season total in the 63rd minute putting away a rebound after an initial boot from freshman Emilee Futrell who was awarded an assist on the play.
Five minutes later, Jaidyn Zapf filed away her second goal of the season shortly after an Allie-Anne Blackburn shot ricocheted off the crossbar. Blackburn was also credited with the assist marking her first points of the new season.
Despite holding the Lions (1-3-1, 0-1 SAC) to just two shots on the afternoon, Jackie Rivas headed home her first goal of 2017 in the 74th minute on a free kick from Leah Hairfield to cut the deficit.
The Eagles wasted no time in getting the goal back after Blackburn connected with Sydney Spadafora on a give-and-go in the 85th minute, marking the sophomore's first goal of the season.
C-N outshot Mars Hill 32-2, making it the third game this season in which the defense has allowed three shots or less.
The Eagles will look for its second consecutive conference win on Saturday, Sept. 16 when they host the Newberry College Wolves in the teams' SAC home opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
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