HARROGATE, Tenn. - After holding Lincoln Memorial scoreless for 80 minutes, Anderson University women's soccer were unable to maintain the shutout as the Lady Railsplitters earned a narrow 1-0 victory over the Trojans in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday afternoon at the LMU Soccer Complex.
With the setback, AU drops to 4-8-1 on the season and 2-5-1 in the conference, while the home side moves to 8-2-1 overall and 6-1-1 for the league.
Lincoln Memorial posted 19 shots for the afternoon compared to AU's 11, but both teams notched five shots on goal apiece. Junior defender Faith Johannes paced the Trojans with five shots, while classmate Emily Cowan followed with two shots. Following the tandem, junior Mariana Poveda and sophomore Paige Gowans-Smith and Alaina Gay all tallied a shot on goal.
In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Sadie Lancaster corralled four saves for the match, as she matched her counterpart's, Kayla Stephens, total. Lancaster has made three or more saves in her last 10 matches.
For the 'Splitters, forward Nicole McKinney led the club with four shots, while teammate Fernanda Miaci posted three. Four other LMU players totaled two shots for the afternoon, headlined by Kristen Cook who scored the match's only goal late into the second half.
With time winding down in the final period, LMU found its game-winner in the 82nd minute off the foot of Cook. Cook received the ball from a deflection in the Anderson box and she fired a shot past Lancaster to seal the victory. For Cook, the goal was her first of the season.
Anderson totaled four shots following the goal, but just one troubled Stephens as the LMU backline contained the AU attack in the win.
"I got everything from these girls today and it was refreshing to see their hunger and desire to compete," Anderson head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "We conceded a goal from a cross and it caught us out. With the commitment levels we had today, it won't be long until we are back to winning ways."
The Trojans return to action on Wednesday when it begins a brief two-match homestand with Brevard. Kickoff from Trojan Stadium is scheduled from 1 p.m.
