HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Sydney Pfankuch scored two first half goals in 33 seconds to lead the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers to a 3-1 win over the Carson-Newman Eagles at Charger Park on Tuesday afternoon.
"We panicked a little bit today," Head Coach Richard Moodie said. "We were chasing the game a little bit. We've played better soccer against other teams. The problem today was us."
The teams began the game by exchanging early chances, but it wasn't until the 19th minute that Pfankuch put herself on the scoresheet with her first goal of the season. Pfankuch took a pass from Arieal Alexander to the right of goal and unleashed a shot that found its way inside the left post to make the score 1-0. Melody Hoernschemeyer also was credited with an assist.
The Eagles barely had a chance to catch their breath when Huntsville struck again. Pfankuch received a pass from Alexander in a similar spot and this time beat keeper Jacqueline Burns (Cookstown, Northern Ireland) with a high shot across the goal and just over half a minute after opening the scoring, the Chargers led 2-0. Once again, Hoernschemeyer picked up an assist.
Carson-Newman's offense was kept off the scoreboard for much of the first half, but they found an answer in the 35th minute when Lauren Wade (Coleraine, Northern Ireland) tallied her third goal of the season with an unassisted effort.
Unfortunately, the Eagles, couldn't find an equalizer and Huntsville tacked on an insurance goal in the 60th minute as Hoernschemeyer picked up her first goal of the season, making the score 3-1.
Goalkeeper Larae Breaux safeguarded her team's advantage for the rest of the match, finishing the day with 14 saves. She limited C-N to one goal despite their setting a new season high with 33 shots.
The Eagles will look to rebound from their first loss of 2016 on Saturday, when they travel to Francis Marion for a 4pm match-up.
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