JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Four different players scored for Carson-Newman (1-1) as it defeated Union (1-1) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs on Saturday afternoon at McCown field.
The win marks the third straight season that the Eagles have won their home opener. In all three wins, Carson-Newman has scored at least four goals.
"Thankfully it was just the one day off after Thursday," Carson-Newman head coach Simon Duffy said. "Tough on the players, but I thought they recovered really well and executed the game plan we were looking to do. Union came out very well, much like we anticipated. Delighted that we were able to follow through and I think the second half really sealed it for us."
Savannah Fields (Johnson City, Tenn.) had the game's first opportunity in the fifth minute but had her shot toward the center of goal saved.
Three minutes later, Lucia Revuelto took aim the center of goal but it was Berna Kabakci (Zeddam, Netherlands) that came up with her first stop of the game.
Neither side had another shot on goal until the 25th minute. After a throw in, Irish Miles (North Augusta, S.C.) crossed a ball into the box, it skipped past an attacker and the keeper and Karli Pettitt (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) came up with the loose ball and deposited it into the back of the net to make it 1-0 C-N. It's the second consecutive year that she has scored in C-N's home opener.
C-N scored a second goal in the opening half off a free kick from midfield. Alayna Corbitt (Knoxville, Tenn.) booted a ball forward that bounced once and was timed perfectly by Krista Nielsen (Saudarkrokur, Iceland) who took one touch and fired a shot into the bottom left corner of goal to increase C-N's lead to 2-0. The goal was Nielsen's fourth in her career.
Union got within a goal early in the second half. Revuelto slotted a ball behind the C-N defense where Rebekah Jackson sprinted to it and knocked into the bottom part of goal to make it a 2-1 game.
Chances were minimal for both sides over the next 20 minutes, until C-N found an insurance goal. Miles continued her quality passing, sending a ball into the box where Anita Arnadottir (Alfantes, Iceland) used extra effort to boot a shot into the back of the net for her first career goal to increase Carson-Newman's lead in the 78th minute.
How 'bout that for your first career goal��
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) September 7, 2024
Anita Arnadottir flicks in her first career goal off of Irish Miles' second assist of the afternoon!
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With C-N in control, Annika Fend played add on with a superb corner kick. The junior defended scored an olimpico goal to cap the quality offensive performance.
Woah��
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) September 7, 2024
Annika Fend curls a corner kick into the back of the net for C-N's fourth goal!
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"Really impressed overall with the players," Duffy said. "The quality was there. Anita's goal all about perseverance. She could have easily gotten pulled down and called for the penalty, but bounced back up and put the ball in the back of the net. Certainly wonderful from her there. To finish up how we did and the goals we scored and chances that were created, it was all good."
Under Duffy, the Eagles improved to 66-2-3 when scoring two goals or more. They have also outscored their opponents 25-10 in home openers over the past eight seasons.
Four different players scored for C-N, while Miles led the way with two assists offensively.
"I love seeing everyone get involved," Miles said. "Especially this season with a lot of people returning, I think the team is strong. That is going to help us get through this season."
C-N outshot Union 15-6 and had a 7-3 advantage on goal.
Kabakci earned her first win of the season in goal, making two saves in three tries.
Carson-Newman stays at home as it welcomes King to town on Wednesday evening for a non-conference matchup. First touch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. A video stream is available with a subscription to FloSports at cneagles.com/floFC.
