University of Toledo
SOUTH ALABAMA
Toledo Outlasts South Alabama in Non-Conference Action, 3-2
9/12/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo women's soccer team outlasted South Alabama, 3-2, in non-conference action Sunday afternoon at sunny Anthony Wayne High School. With the win, the Rockets improve to 3-1-1 overall, while the Jaguars fall to 3-2-1.
"I was pleased with our overall performance today," Toledo Head Coach Brad Evans said. "We had a number of players step up their games. I also give South Alabama a lot of credit. This is a long trip and for them to come out in the second half down a pair of goals and fight the way they did is a true testament to their coach and their team."
Toledo started quickly, as senior Rebecca Hollis opened the scoring at 2:31. Sophomore defender Nicole Williams played a ball to Hollis into the top of the South Alabama penalty box. Hollis gathered herself and was all alone about 20 yards out. The co-captain took a couple of dribbles and fired a shot past the Jaguars' goalkeeper Amber Angermeier for her first goal of the season.
"This was a great win for our team as we head into the start of the MAC season and a great game for me personally," Hollis said. "I've been working hard all season, but I haven't been able to find the back of the net. Today, I was able to help our team out with a pair of goals."
Toledo increased its lead to 2-0 at 17:27 on Hollis' second goal of the afternoon. Junior Lindsey Zembower chipped the ball over the USA defense to a streaking Hollis, who blasted it by Angermeier to make it a 2-0 UT lead.
"Heading into this game, we talked about needing our forwards to finish," Evans said. "We've had our opportunities, but we haven't been able to convert. Today, we were fortunate as Rebecca finished on a pair of scores."
South Alabama cut the lead in half at 22:58 when Jenn Edgar played a ball high into the Toledo penalty box. UT sophomore goalkeeper Jen Whipple and USA's Tanya Allegretti each went for the ball high in the air at the same time, but the ball fell to the ground near the goal line and was put into the goal by UT's Kristen Friedmann.
The Rockets scored the eventual game-winner at 30:25 of the first half on senior Robin Davidson's initial tally of the season. Davidson was all alone about 25 yards out and blasted a shot into the back of the net to give the Rockets a 3-1 lead at the intermission.
In the second half, the Jaguars applied a lot pressure on the UT defense. Allegretti scored South Alabama's lone goal at the 48:47 mark. She carried the ball about 50 yards right down the middle of the field and beat a pair of UT defenders and Whipple to make the score 3-2.
South Alabama could not get any closer though as the Toledo defense buckled down, despite several chances throughout the second half.
Toledo received another tremendous effort from Whipple. The sophomore from Westerville, OH made two saves, including a diving stop in the second half to secure the victory.
Toledo returns to action on Friday, Sept. 17, when it opens its Mid-American Conference season hosting Marshall. The game is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. at Anthony Wayne High School.
TOLEDO 3, South Alabama 2
UT: R. Hollis (Williams), 2:31
UT: R. Hollis (Zembower), 17:27
USA: J. Edgar (Unassisted), 22:58
UT: R. Davidson (Hollis), 30:25
USA: T. Allegretti (unassisted), 48:47
SHOTS: UT 8, USA 8
SAVES: UT 2, USA 1
CORNER KICKS: UT 3, USA 1
FOULS: UT 13, USA 7
