ANDERSON, S.C. - Two goals from junior Idoia Agirre, highlighted by the 86th minute game-winner, propelled Anderson University women's soccer to a 2-1 victory over Newberry in South Atlantic Conference action on Wednesday at Trojan Stadium.
With the win, the Trojans claim their fifth straight triumph, which matches their longest winning streak of the season, and improve to 10-1 for the season and 5-1 in the SAC. The Wolves drop to 1-7-2 on the year with a 1-5 mark in conference play. The win is also AU's first victory over Newberry since 2002 when the Trojans were members of the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference.
After the teams played over 34 minutes of scoreless soccer, Agirre broke through for the Black and Gold when she found a pass that was chipped ahead by freshman Kenzie Van Heusen. Agirre found separation in the Newberry backline and scooted a shot past NC's goalkeeper Rebecca Darly. The goal was Agirre's 14th of the season, as she has now scored in back-to-back matches.
Anderson took the one-goal advantage into the halftime break, but the Wolves answered in the 54th minute of play. Similar to the AU goal, Newberry's Elizabeth Gutierrez lobbed a pass over the Trojan backline and found a streaking Michelle Calmeyn who knocked in an equalizer for the visitors. For Calmeyn, the goal was her eighth of the season and gave the Wolves life in the second half.
In a match that looked destined to need extra time, Agirre provided the game-winning goal in the 86th minute when she sped away from the Newberry defense after grabbing a throw-in from teammate Jaclyn Kubiak. Agirre beat Darly to the far post after the Newberry goalkeeper came out from her box to eventually hand the Trojans the 2-1 victory.
"I couldn't be prouder of the girls today," Anderson head coach
Ciaran Traquair said. "We had to battle with an extremely physical
side. Before the match, I said if we can match with them
physically, then we will have our opportunities. Idoia has been
outstanding all season and she was the difference maker. She sets a
great example every day and deserves the plaudits today. This was a
great victory for our program."
Despite the win, Anderson dropped the shot battle, 16-14, marking the third consecutive match the Trojans have been out-shot. Agirre led the way with five shots, as four troubled Darly in the Newberry goal. Van Heusen and teammate Emily Cowan added two shots apiece. The Wolves were led by Calmeyn who notched a match-high nine shots.
In goal, freshman Abby Helm grabbed three saves en route to her 10th victory of the season. Helm did not record a save in the second half, while her counterpart, Darly, matched Helm's mark of three saves for the match.
Anderson returns to the pitch on Saturday when it travels to Lenoir-Rhyne for a key SAC clash. Kick-off from Hickory, N.C. is slated for 4:30 p.m.
