JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.- Carson-Newman women's soccer (5-2-2, 4-1) used a combination of stellar defending and a relentless offensive attack to take down unbeaten Coker (3-1-2, 2-1), 2-0 at McCown field on Saturday afternoon.
The win gives the Eagles its fourth win in a row, marking the longest winning streak since 2019. The home victory also extends C-N's unbeaten streak at McCown field to nine games. During the four-game winning streak, C-N has taken down three undefeated teams (Limestone, Wingate and now Coker)
"Tough first half for us," Coach Simon Duffy said. "We found it hard to get going and I think that's a credit to Coker for that. They were well-oiled, very disciplined and much improved from years past and that's why they were unbeaten and hadn't conceded a goal before today. The second half performance was excellent, we had 18 shots and could've put in a few, but I'm not going to start knit picking about it. We scored two goals and got a clean sheet, so I'm very happy."
C-N had several close chances to score in the first half. In the 18th minute, sophomore Sydnee Duncan hit the cross bar from just outside the six-yard box. Seven minutes later, fellow sophomore Nellie Bryneus hit the side post on a shot from the left side of the box.
The Eagles attack stayed strong and finally got Coker's defense to make a mistake in the 40th minute, as junior Mic Kriebel fired a cross in that was deflected by the Cobras and got past goalkeeper Sarah Swain for an own goal to put the Eagles ahead 1-0.
C-N kept the offensive intensity up in the second half. It complied seven early shots in the second half, before Bryneus used her speed to race by the Coker defenders and shoot a ball into the bottom right corner of goal to put C-N ahead 2-0 in the 61st minute. Bryneus' goal was her 4th of the season and 10th in her C-N career.
The Eagles put together three more shots on goal in the final 30 minutes but Swaim saved all three to keep the deficit for Coker at 2-0.
C-N's defenese was stout all afternoon only allowing two Coker shots, one in each half. Freshman goalkeeper Laura Germes faced two shots on goal and saved both of them.
Duncan led the offense charge with five shots. Bryneus and Addie Henry each had four shots, while Maja Bengtsson and Carina Wust each had three.
C-N has now won seven straight against the Cobras.
Under Duffy at home, C-N improves to 35-7-5 overall and 21-4-1 against the SAC.
Carson-Newman is now in sole possession of second place in the South Atlantic Conference stands with twelve points.
The Eagles continue their three-game homestand on Wednesday when Mars Hill comes to Mossy Creek.
