Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
UNC-Greensboro - NCAA First Round
UNCG Topples Women's Soccer In NCAA Tournament, 2-1
11/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 14, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Jaime Ableman and Rakel Logadottir scored unassisted goals just nine minutes apart midway through the second half to lead UNC Greensboro past Wake Forest, 2-1, in first round action from the 2003 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament at Fetzer Field Friday night. The Spartans advance to face top-ranked North Carolina in the second round Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Demon Deacons dominated play for most of the evening, but fell victim to a pair of unfortunate mistakes in the penalty area. Ableman gained possession of a mishandled ball inside the Wake Forest penalty area and beat Deacon goalkeeper Kenna Healy to the far post at 70:23. The goal was Ableman's third of the season.
Logadottir took advantage of the second mistake from the Wake Forest defense and buried a side volley from the top of the box at 79:05. The score was Logadottir's team leading ninth.
The Demon Deacons had chance after chance, but was unable to break through the bunkered Spartan defense. Wake Forest outshot UNCG by a convincing 25-9 margin, including 16-4 in the second half, and registered 11 corner kicks, while the Spartans managed just one.
Despite the 2-0 deficit, senior Alena Thom nearly brought the Deacs within a goal with a rocket from just inside the 18-yard box, but UNCG netminder Jennifer Stillman, as she did all evening, made a brilliant save. Time after time, the Deacs pressure the Spartans goal, but Stillman was equal to the task each and every time. The sophomore finished the match with a season high eight saves.
Stillman looked in line for her fourth consecutive shutout and 10th in the last 12 matches, but senior A.B. Robbins picked up her third goal of the season with just 22 seconds remaining in the match. Ali Hunt whipped in a cross from the right wing and Robbins headed home the goal.
It would not be enough as the Spartans not only advance into the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000, but also register their first victory over Wake Forest in seven all-time meetings.
The Demon Deacons controlled possession in the match's opening 45 minutes. Katherine Winstead and Elizabeth Remy each had splendid scoring chances midway through the first half, but Winstead's sailed over the net and Stillman made a tremendous save on Remy's breakaway.
Wake Forest outshot UNCG, 9-5, and registered five corner kicks, while the Spartans failed to record a corner kick in the first half. Stillman kept the match scoreless, picking up four saves prior to intermission.
