HARROGATE, Tenn. – On a night where the Eagles rattle off 19 total shots and outshoot their opponent 12-2 in the second half, C-N could not push across a late-game equalizer and fall 2-1 to LMU. Carson-Newman (3-2, 3-2 SAC) and their opponent, the LMU Railsplitters (4-0-1, 4-0-1 SAC) once again saw the matchup go back-and-forth with no one truly pulling away, but it was timely opportunities by LMU which made the ultimate difference.
"Disappointed with the loss tonight. It was an important game for post season seeding and we lacked real quality all over the pitch," head coach Simon Duffy said.
Both teams came out strong from the LMU Soccer Complex as the two programs combined for 13 shots in the first half-hour of competition. However, on a broken defensive play in the 36th minute, the Railsplitters were once again sparked by the play of sophomore Rachel Taylor who got past C-N and gave the 1-0 advantage to LMU. Taylor was the player who ended the 2OT thriller in February as she netted the heartbreaking game-winner with only 24.3 seconds left on the clock.
Once the second half started, both teams kept up their physical and quick style of play as they tried to either break away or keep it close. In the 59th minute, Taylor was able to find herself with a breakaway opportunity and from there, she beat freshman goalkeeper Lilly Ebner (Hohentengen, Germany) for her second of the match and gave LMU a commanding 2-0 lead.
Despite being down 2-0, C-N kept up their intensity and were able to trim the lead to one with only 30 minutes left to play. Senior Lira Mathes (Knoxville, Tenn.) was able to get C-N on the board in the 60th minute of play after freshman Molly Bukiewicz (Beavercreek, Ohio) sent in a beautiful corner which Mathes found the back of the net with, thanks to no LMU defender stepping to challenge Mathes. This gives Mathes her third on the year, tying her for second on the team with sophomore Makayla Garner (Fort Mill, S.C.). Meanwhile, with her assist on the goal, Bukiewicz wallows her fifth assist on the season and builds upon her already present SAC lead in the category.
After finding the back of the net, C-N had a couple more quality shots on goal by senior Emilee Futrell (Wilson, N.C.), freshman Marta De Zanger (Barcelona, Spain), and senior Kristina Markfort (Munster, Germany) but none of the attempts got past the LMU goalkeeper. LMU's Costa was steady in the goal as she faced all 19 C-N shots, including 10 shots on goal, and made nine saves to keep LMU ahead.
The greatest chance for C-N to tie came in the 85th minute as sophomore Addie Henry (Chattanooga, Tenn.) found her way to the penalty spot with a chance to even the score and send the matchup to its third straight overtime period between the two meetings. However, Costa stepped up huge as she followed Henry's gaze and made a diving kick save to hold C-N at one.
Tuesday's result marks the first time an Eagles squad has lost a game in which they outshot their opponent since the 2019 SAC Quarterfinals. In that game, C-N faced the Queens Royals and outshot them 24-10, but could not find an answer as Queens advanced with a 2-1 win.
"Hopefully we can re-group and compete against Mars Hill on Thursday," Duffy said. "From there, we see where we'll end up."
In the last four games, Duffy's squad has outscored opponents 15-4 while amassing a shooting margin of 85-52 against opponents in all five games during 2021. When looking at the Eagles as a whole, Futrell leads the way in goals with four (31 career goals) while sophomore Makayla Garner (Fort Mill, S.C.) and Mathes are tied for second with three apiece after both scoring in the last two games, respectively.
Statistically, Carson-Newman currently lead the SAC in assists with 15, are tied for the lead with Lenoir-Rhyne in total goals with 16, are fifth with 85 total shots, and have allowed the fourth fewest goals with six allowed so far. C-N also builds upon its lead in team points as it moves to 46 total points, five ahead of second-place LR.
The Eagles now turn their attention to the Mars Hill Lions on Thursday. In the first matchup this season, Carson-Newman walloped the scoreboard 6-0, thanks to individual braces from both Garner and Mathes along with a pair of freshman gaining their first as an Eagle.
Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman women's soccer at cneagles.com and via all social media accounts.
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