Interview: Head Coach Simon Duffy
Interview: Forward Magda Mosengo
Jefferson City, Tenn. – The remnants of Hurricane Harvey made its way through Mossy Creek on Friday evening as the Carson-Newman women's soccer team fought through the field conditions, topping GLIAC opponent Ferris State in a 2-0 win at McCown Field.
"I'm just so happy and ecstatic," said first-year head coach Simon Duffy. "It was great to get out there finally, but that was a test. That was a really good coached team and they had some fantastic players. It makes it even sweeter to put in a performance like that."
Despite just a single shot on goal, the Bulldogs (0-1) controlled the pace of play through the first 25 minutes. The Eagle defense denied every opportunity to keep the game even heading into the break.
In their first ever appearance against Ferris State, the halftime adjustments by C-N (1-0) proved to pay off. "We needed to come out and show this was our home and we don't lose at home, simple as that," added Duffy. "I just told them we needed to get after them coming out in the second half, and within two minutes we scored."
Reigning player of the year, Lauren Wade, did just that putting home a shot from outside the top of the box on a feed teammate Magda Mosengo in the 47th minute. Bulldog goalkeeper Grace Kraft would get two hands on the ball, however, it wouldn't be enough to stop the ball spinning into the back of the netting.
Sophomore net minder Jackie Burns was stellar in the 2017 debut picking up from where she left off last season, tallying two salves in the shutout. The most impressive save came in the 67th minute when a lead pass to the Bulldogs' Brandi Wagner put her one-on-one with the Northern Ireland product. Wagner unleashed a shot from the top of the box, but Burns deflection kept the lead intact.
Unleashing 13 shots in the second half, Carson-Newman would ride the momentum with a put away goal from Mosengo in the 83rd minute from the left side of the post on a feed from junior defender Alex Brandan.
"It was super important for us to kick start our season with a win, and let it be known our attitude going forward," said the forward Mosengo. "We were able to play our game despite the situation with the weather."
The Eagles will turn right around and face Georgia College at home on Sunday, Sept. 3.
"We'll definitely just continue to have a great attitude, continue to work hard, and have the same mindset and work rate that we did today," added the junior Mosengo.
Kickoff on Sunday is slated for 1:00 p.m.
