ANDERSON, S.C. - Playing from behind for the first time this season, Anderson University women's soccer bounced back from being a goal down early, headlined by a 90th minute game-winner from sophomore Abbey Mills, as the Trojans tallied their fourth straight win with a 2-1 victory over nonconference opponent Young Harris Saturday afternoon at Trojan Stadium.
With the victory, AU is off to its best start to a season since the 2001 season when it began 6-0, as it improves to 4-0 on the year. The Mountain Lions, who opened their regular season on Saturday, drop to 0-1.
The Trojans were on the attack for the majority of the contest, out-shooting Young Harris, 23-9, highlighted by holding the visitors to just two shots in the final 45 minutes. The striker duo of Idoia Agirre and Marie Yasmine Alidou paced the Black and Gold with six shots apiece, while Mariana Poveda, Emily Cowan and Faith Johannes each totaled two shots apiece.
Despite recording over 20 shots for the fourth consecutive match, Young Harris struck first in the 10th minute of play when Carly Rich fed a cross into the Trojan box. After getting tangled up with Anderson goalkeeper Abby Helm, YHC forward Kaylee Bromell knocked in the Lions' first goal of the season and gave the visitors a quick 1-0 lead.
Trailing for the first time in four matches, AU waited until the final minute of action in the first half to find the scoreboard. Agirre, who was tabbed NSCAA Division II Player of the Week last Tuesday, fired a free kick just outside the Lion box and continued her goal streak, tallying her ninth of the season. The goal would take the match into halftime with the score level at 1-1.
The Trojans tallied 12 shots in the second half, as the final one proved to be the difference. The Trojans were awarded a corner kick where Alidou played it short to Poveda. With the ball at her feet, Poveda sent a cross into the box and found the head of Mills. With defenders around the forward, Mills was able to get just enough on the shot to put the ball into the back of the net for the game-winner. The goal was Mills' second of the season.
"I'm so proud of the way these kids for the way they finished the game," Anderson head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "We were a bit shocked at the early pressure Young Harris put us under and we struggled to get settled. After the goal before the half, we knew that regrouping and addressing the issues would get us going for the second half. We never looked back and were dominant for the last 45 minutes. I think we deserved the victory and it's a quality win for our program."
Helm, who recorded her fourth win to open the year, finished the match with four saves while seeing nine total shots. On the opposite end, Lion goalkeeper Arielle Charles grabbed a match-high 14 saves in the losing effort.
The Trojans look to continue their winning ways on Wednesday when they host Coker for their South Atlantic Conference opener. Kick-off from Trojan Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.
