JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Senior Maleya Garrison (Hendersonville, Tenn.) scored today's lone goal to bring a 1-0 victory to Carson-Newman (1-2) at its home opener against Young Harris (1-2).
"I thought we were the better team all night," Carson-Newman head soccer coach Richard Moodie said. "We focused on not conceding goals. The most exciting thing was we didn't concede after this past weekend."
Throughout the first 15 minutes of action, the Eagles were being outshot by YHC 2-0.
"The back four worked well together," Coach Moodie said. "[Center backs] Seed and Peterson are still getting used to each other, one a sophomore and one a freshman. Tonight those two girls showed why they got the start. Top notch performance."
In the 19th minute, junior Mikayla Gregg (Newport, Tenn.) threaded a pass through the seam between YHC's center backs. Garrison met the ball behind the defensive line, took one touch with her right foot around the goal keeper and slotted the ball far post putting the Eagles up by one.
"Mikayla's through ball was perfect," Garrison said. "It led me right in to beat the defender and score."
Over her C-N career, Garrison has played in more than 30 matches, tallied more than six goals and gotten minutes at winger, striker and center midfield. In 2011, Garrison contributed a hat trick to the team's first home match and 12-0 win against Chowan.
"This win was good for our confidence," Garrison said, "going into the conference games and the rest of the season."
Tonight, Garrison led C-N in shots having taken three, all of which were on target. Gregg took two shots and put one on goal while Camilla Olsson (Trondheim, Norway) released one shot and put it on frame.
"We've looked deadly," Coach Moodie said, "in and around the goal in practice but we've struggled putting that into a game setting. Maleya did well today and worked her way into the box."
Carson-Newman outshot the Mountain Lions 10 to nine. Sophomore keeper Taylor Hammond (Suwanee, Ga.) totaled six saves.
Dani Pena had two shots for Young Harris, both on target, while Olivia Goddard, Carly Rich, Madelyn Youngblood, and Julia DaSilva all placed their lone shots on frame.
"A win is definitely what we needed," Coach Moodie said. "Now we get ready for Wingate on Saturday."
The Eagles head into their first conference matchup against Wingate Saturday Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. The game can be followed live at http://www.wingatebulldogs.com/sports/2009/8/24/GEN_0824093213.aspx?tab=livestats.
