MARS HILL, N.C. - Using a goal in each half, the Anderson women's soccer team shut out Mars Hill, 2-0, in South Atlantic Conference action Sunday afternoon at Meares Stadium.
With the win, Anderson evened its overall record at 6-6 and moved to 3-2 in league play, while winning its third match in the last four outings. Mars Hill (6-6-1, 2-4 SAC) has dropped two straight and three of its last four.
"I was very proud of our composure today," said Anderson head coach Samar Azem. "We came out knowing we had to execute better than we did last Wednesday and recognized the importance of playing every ball and working off the ball. We came together, got the shutout, combined well and finished our opportunities. We earned another conference win on the road against a very talented team. Now we prepare for another tough conference match Wednesday."
Offensively, the two teams battled on even terms in the opening minutes, with each squad recording a pair of shots inside the first eight minutes of action. But the Trojans struck first, as junior Jessica Kleinberg took advantage of a takeaway and her shot from 10 yards out found the back of the net in the 29th minute for her team-leading sixth score of the season.
Each team recorded seven shots in the first 45 minutes, with Mars Hill holding a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 2-1 edge in corner kicks.
Freshman Summer Miller boosted AU's lead to 2-0 in the 52nd
minute, when the Trojans capitalized on a 3-on-2 advantage with
sophomore forward Krystal Goss finding Miller with a cross into the
box for her second career goal, while Goss notched her third assist
of the season.
Mars Hill outshot the Trojans, 14-11, on the afternoon and held an
8-5 advantage in shots on goal.
AU sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Neipp went the distance between the pipes to earn the win, while recording eight saves. The Lions' Chelsea Parker absorbed the loss.
Anderson will get back on the pitch Wednesday with a conference matchup at Brevard. Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the BC Soccer Field.
