CCU

Women's Soccer Falls to Charleston Southern in Big South Conference Opener

       

Women's Soccer Falls to Charleston Southern in Big South Conference Opener

CONWAY, S.C. — It was the tale of two halves as the Coastal Carolina women's soccer team opened Big South play Wednesday night, hosting Charleston Southern. The Lady Buccaneers dominated early, the Lady Chanticleers dominated late, but unfortunately for CCU, in the end it was Charleston Southern who walked away with the 3-1 victory.

Both teams found themselves with ample scoring opportunities, but the Lady Bucs (3-1-1) came out poised and aggressive, and were able to capitalize when it counted. Betsy Lapp opened the scoring for CSU, beating the offside trap on a long feed from Robyn Sedlack to beat goalkeeper Candice Doten on the breakaway in the eighth minute, for her fifth goal of the young season. Katie Bidwell doubled the lead just six minutes later as the bigger, more physical Lady Bucs looked like they were going to turn the game into a rout.

``It was a conference game,'' CSU coach Eric Terrill said. ``Coastal came out fired up but we've been on a hot streak. We have a team of seniors, who have been taking charge. I won't say we were lucky to score, but we were the first to put one away, and in a closely contested game, that means a lot.''

The Lady Chants (0-3-1) began to pick up the pace late in the first half, but had only one good scoring threat, which was created when CSU goalkeeper Susan Anderson missed a pass to her from a teammate, and was forced to dive on top of the ball just as it began to cross the goalline. The illegal touch gave Coastal an indirect kick from six yards out, but Kristen Wisse blasted the ball high for Coastal's first shot of the game, as they were outshot 5-1 in the first half.

That play however, signaled a switch in momentum, as the Lady Chants carried the play for most of the second half, outshooting the Bucs 10-3 in the period. Jill Ortiz got Coastal on the board in the 56th minute, winning a cross in traffic on a set play, off an assist from Wisse. It was the first goal of the season for the sophomore forward, and began an onslaught of good chances as CCU looked for the equalizer.

``We played a lot better in the second half,'' Coastal coach Karrie Miller said. ``But in the crucial moments we didn't finish our chances and they did. They won, and that's what counts. We have to learn how to win, but hopefully we're learning from our mistakes, and will be able to move forward.''

With Coastal pressing forward, Charleston Southern began looking for counter attacks, and put the game away in the 82nd minute on Kate Basom's goal. Carrie Terrill took the initial shot which was deflected by a diving Doten, but found its way to Basom whose volley deflected in off the left post for her second goal of the season.

The Lady Chants will be back in action this Sunday, Sept. 23 when they travel Gardner Webb, and return home next Wednesday, Sept. 26 when they host UNC Wilmington at 7:00 p.m.