VIDEO: Richard Moodie Interview
VIDEO: Jacqueline Burns Interview
VIDEO: Highlights
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn – Goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns (Cookstown, Northern Ireland) collected her program record tenth shutout of the season as the Carson-Newman women's soccer team edged the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters 1-0 on Tuesday night at McCown Field.
"[Jacqueline has been] phenomenal," coach Richard Moodie said. "She's done everything we've wanted her to do. Jessica [Fraiture] (Hebron, Ky.) getting hurt was so unfortunate for her and there is another goalkeeper in the mix in Jasmine Rizk (Andersonville, Tenn.) and she has to take a lot of credit, too. Jackie is kept on her toes every day. She wants to train hard and Jasmine is there pushing her. Undoubtedly, Jessica Fraiture was one of the top goalkeepers in the league last year and this year, Jackie Burns, undoubtedly, one of the top goalkeepers in the league."
The Eagles dominated the first half everywhere but on the scoreboard. They sent in 13 shots while holding LMU to one and the Railsplitters didn't manage a single shot on goal, while C-N totaled six, but they were all saved by Kathryn Lundy. Varin Ness (Sogndal, Norway) led all players with three shots, all of which were on goal. Heida Ragney (Akureryi, Iceland) had a chance to get C-N on the board late in the first half when a pass into the 18-yard box found her head just outside the six-yard area. Unfortunately for her, Lundy was perfectly positioned to make the save. A few minutes later, Lauren Wade (Coleraine, Northern Ireland) fired a rocket towards the net, but her shot was a little too high and cleared the crossbar for a goal kick.
The beginning of the second half wasn't much different from the action in the first, as the Eagles continued creating chances, but were unable to net any goals. LMU showed it's first signs of life on offense in the second half, as they put shots on goal in the 51st, 58th and 61st minute, but Burns saved all three chances.
The ice was finally broken by the Eagles in the 64th minute. Helen Seed (Preston, England) sent a ball from the C-N side of the field into the 18-yard box, where Ness made a run towards the net and beat Lundy with a right footed shot for her second goal of the season.
"Varin Ness has stepped up in the last few games," Moodie said. "That's exactly why she's here. Her movement off the ball was superb and the finish was brilliant. She's had a bit of a rough time this season, but she's an excellent player. The goal was a sigh of relief when it went in the back of the net."
Now with the lead, the C-N defense continued shutting down LMU's offense. The Railsplitters were unable to muster a single shot on goal for the rest of the match.
Burns, who finished the night with three saves, earned her 10th clean sheet of the season. That mark breaks the program record for shutouts in a season, which had been held by Jessica Fraiture (Hebron, Ky.).
"It's a privilege," Burns said. "It's hard for a keeper to actually get a shutout, but with this team anything is possible and I hope to get more this season."
One more game remains on C-N's regular season schedule and it's a 2 p.m. match against Coker on Saturday. This match will also serve as Senior Day for the Eagles, who will honor their six seniors in a ceremony pregame. Audio of the game will be streamed live on cneagles.com/live.
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