ANDERSON, S.C. - Two second-half goals from defender Faith Johannes sealed the come-from-behind victory for Anderson University women's soccer as the Trojans knocked off South Atlantic Conference opponent Brevard, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon at Trojan Stadium.
The win gives AU its first triumph for the month of October and pushes its record up to a 5-8-1 mark with a 3-5-1 record in league play. As the Trojans snapped a five-match winless streak, the Black and Gold is hovering around the final spot for the SAC Tournament, which begins on Nov. 4. On the other side, the Tornados drop to 3-11 on the year and 1-8 for the conference.
"It's a great victory for us today, especially with how difficult it has been throughout October," Anderson head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "I want this program to be built on that character and belief we showed in the second half and I couldn't be prouder of the group at the end of the day."
To go along with her two goals on the day, Johannes led the charge with a match-high nine shots with four coming on goal. As a team, Anderson tallied 21 shots for the match, marking the fourth time this season the Trojans have tallied 20 shots or more. Sophomore Jaclyn Kubiak followed Johannes with four shots, while the trio of Lyssa Engle, Mariana Poveda and Emily Cowan each recorded two shots.
Despite the offensive advantage, it was the visitors who struck first in the contest as the Tornados took advantage of a 12th-minute corner. Shannon Bava sent a cross into the middle of the AU box and found the head of Anita Maryskova who beat AU goalkeeper Sadie Lancaster to her right. For Maryskova, the early first-half goal was her first tally of the season.
After Brevard took its 1-0 lead into halftime, the Trojans eventually found the goal column in the 62nd minute when they took advantage of one of their four corners on the day. Poveda crossed in a pass and found a streaking Johannes who was coming across goal. Johannes was able to get her body into a shot and beat BC goalkeeper Jocelyn Springer to her left, evening the score at 1-1.
In the 86th minute, Johannes struck again when she found a rebound at her feet following a Kubiak shot that hit the crossbar. The Las Vegas, Nev. native saw the open net and fired a shot into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner. With the goal, Johannes ranks third on the team with three for the campaign.
The Trojan defense sealed the victory in the final four minutes, allowing Brevard to attempt just one shot in the span. Lancaster earns her first victory of October, despite finishing the contest without a save. The backline allowed six shots for the match, but Maryskova's 11th minute goal was the visitor's lone shot on goal.
"We had some terrific individual performances across the board," Traquair said. "We now give ourselves a fighting chance to make the conference tournament which was our ultimate goal for this season."
Anderson remains home for its next two matches, beginning with its Homecoming match with Wingate on Saturday. Kickoff from Trojan Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
