Box Score LITTLE ROCK - The UALR Trojans (4-6-0, 0-1-0)
dropped their Sun Belt Conference opener to the FIU Golden Panthers (4-5-0,
1-0-0) by a final of 2-1 Friday night at Burns Park.
The Trojans outshot the Panthers, 15-9, including 8-6 in shots on goal, but
were unable to find the equalizer after Crystal McNamara's game-winner in the
57th minute.
FIU jumped
out to a 1-0 advantage early in the first half. The Panthers' Ashleigh Shimm
connected on the game's first score just 6:31 into the contest, taking a pass
from Nicole DiPerna and beating the UALR keeper from the top right corner of
the net.
The goal
was Shimm's second of the year, while the assist was DiPerna's second.
UALR
evened the score the 11 minutes later. Sophomore Adrianna Queen scored one of the most impressive goals of the year
for the Trojans, dribbling the ball 40 yards down the field through defenders
before blasting a shot past the FIU keeper to make it a 1-1 contest.
Queen's
goal came off the right edge of the box and was the second of the season for Las Vegas, Nev.,
native.
The score
would stay knotted at one as the two teams went into the half, with the Trojans
leading the shot count by an 8-2 tally.
McNamara's
goal came at the 56:54 mark, and followed a free kick that resulted in a loose
ball inside the UALR box. The ball was touched by several different players
before McNamara got her foot on it and connected on what proved to be the
game-winner.
UALR's Michelle Pittman made four saves in
goal on the night, while Kaitlyn Savage made seven saves for FIU.
Offensively,
UALR was led by Queen and senior Christina
Veasley with four shots apiece. Sophomore Holly Holland put up three and freshman Alyson Rohane had two.
FIU led in
corner kicks, 6-0, while UALR led in fouls, 11-9.
UALR will
return to action this Sunday, Sept. 25, when they take on Florida Atlantic at Burns Park.
First kick is slated for noon.