Trojans Drop Conference Opener to Chanticleers

LITTLE ROCK- The Trojans fought hard on Friday afternoon but felt just short in their conference opener against Coastal Carolina, played at Kennesaw State University due to Hurricane Florence. A late goal by CCU's Baylee Price sealed the 2-1 result for the Chanticleers.
 
"I thought we were exceptional for the first 20 minutes," said Head Coach Mark Foster. "We scored a good goal, hit the crossbar and created some other good chances. However, we should have had the game over and done with after 20 minutes. It was a much more even game in the second half and they probably deserved their equalizer. As much as I respect Paul and his Coastal team, I don't know if they deserved to win the game. I think a draw would have been a fair result today. But credit to the young lady who scored the goal, she beat four of our players and put a great finish in."
 
The match was played very evenly in the early minutes. Neither team was able to really take control of the game, however Little Rock enjoyed the better scoring opportunities in the first half.
 
The Trojans' first goal came after they were awarded a penalty from a handball in the box by a Coastal Carolina defender. Doro Greulich found Sairra Tucker with a beautiful through pass to the wing. Tucker's first shot was saved by the CCU goalkeeper and her next shot hit the outstretched hand of a defender and a penalty was awarded. Liesa Seifert stepped up to take the spot kick and took it very nicely as her shot struck the right post and deflected into the back of the net to give the Trojans the 1-0 lead.
 
The Trojans went into halftime with a 1-0 advantage, but the Chanticleers had a very strong showing shortly after halftime. They won a barrage of corners to assert their dominance on the offensive end.
 
Little Rock held strong until the 71^st minute when CCU won a penalty after their attacker was fouled in the penalty area. Sunny Sigurvinsdottir sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted her penalty home to even the score at 1-1.
 
After finding the equalizer, an energized Coastal Carolina team would go ahead and find the game-winning goal in the 82^nd minute when Baylee Price received a pass from Hannah Miller and wasted no time to put the ball in the back of the net and secure the three points for her team.
 
It was a fairly even game as the teams were equal in fouls, saves and corner kicks. Coastal Carolina only narrowly outshot the Trojans (13-11) as the scoring-chances were scarce on the day.
 
The Trojans will return to Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex for their next match against Georgia State on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
 
#LittleRocksTeam