SPARTANBURG, S.C. - With back-to-back goals in the final five minutes of the first half, Anderson University women's soccer held off South Atlantic Conference rival, Carson-Newman, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at a rainy Upward Star Center.
With the victory, the Trojans add their second win over a regionally-ranked opponent in a week following their 3-2 double-overtime triumph at Limestone on Wednesday. The Black and Gold improve to 9-1 on the season with a 4-1 mark in conference play, as their nine wins matches the most by the program in the SAC era. The Eagles, who entered the weekend on a five-match winning streak, fall to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the SAC.
Despite entering the weekend leading the SAC in shots, it was Carson-Newman's offense which shined early, totaling the first 14 shots of the contest, headlined by the match's opening goal in the 34th minute by Camilla Olsson. Olsson fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard box and slotted the ball underneath the glove of AU goalkeeper Abby Helm for her first tally of the season. Teammate Heida Ragney was credited with the assist.
The Trojans bounced back quickly in the 41st minute when the Eagles were whistled for a handball inside their own box. With the penalty kick awarded, freshman forward Kenzie Van Heusen went to the left and beat C-N goalkeeper Jessica Fraiture. The goal was Van Heusen's seventh of the season and first since Sept. 9.
Moments later, freshman Megan Foster sent a through ball between the middle of the Eagle backline which found a touch from Abbey Mills. The flick was just enough to find a streaking Idoia Agirre who gave the Trojans the lead with her 13th goal of the season in the 42nd minute.
The Trojan backline solidified the conference victory in the second half, while Helm posted a season-high 11 saves in the victory. AU held its opposition to seven shots in the final 45 minutes, compared to a 14-shot mark in the opening period.
"We really struggled to adapt with the wind and rain in our faces in the first 45 minutes and Carson-Newman was causing a lot of problems," Anderson head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "The goals came at the right time for us and it allowed us to adjust our shape and game plan for the second half. We defended resolutely until the end and deserved the win. The group does it again in the most testing condition."
Anderson remains in the Upstate when it returns to pitch against Newberry on Wednesday. Kick-off from Trojan Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.
