Wednesday, October 4, 2006

LADY SAINTS SCORE FIRST, BUT FALL TO COLUMBUS STATE
Cappy scores tenth goal of season

Dahlonega, GA - North Georgia College & State University scored first, but was unable to hold off the Columbus State surge, falling 3-1 to the 13th-ranked team in the country Wednesday afternoon.

Lauren Cappy did something that only two other players have done so far this season ... score on Columbus State's Monica Sanchez. Cappy took advantage of a misplay by Sanchez just outside the 18-yard box to put the Lady Saints on the board just 10 minutes into the contest. The sophmore from Suwanee scored her tenth goal of the season, taking the ball off the foot of Sanchez and punching it in from 16 yards out.

The play was made possible because of a long ball played by junior midfielder Brittany Bruner. Bruner knocked the ball long for Cappy to run on, which the sophomore continued her run even though it looked as though Sanchez would make a play.

Columbus State (12-1-0, 7-0 Peach Belt) entered the game with the nation's top-ranked scoring defense, and the nation's top-ranked goalkeeper in goal against average (GAA) and save percentage. The goal was just the third yielded by Columbus State this season.

Freshman Katie Turner made the play of the first half for the Lady Saints when she stopped a sure goal by Columbus State's Gina Goforth. Goforth was initially stopped by Lady Saints' goalkeeper Leigha Terry. Terry knocked the ball down, but unfortunately for North Georgia it was right at the foot of Goforth. The freshman forward saw an empty net until Turner slide in at the last second and saved a goal, kocking the ball off the line.

Unfortunately for North Georgia, the nation's 30th-ranked scoring offense struck in the 39th minute. Freshman reserve forward Toni Phillips found the ball at her feet after a corner from Lindsey Morgan. The corner was initially knocked down by Kellie Myles which found the foot of Phillips, who spun and beat Terry low and to the right.

Columbus State struck first in the second half when Jess Freeman took a pass from Myles just inside the 18. Freeman chested the ball down and struck it well with her left foot, beating Terry to the far post. The goal gave Columbus State a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute.

The Lady Saints almost equalized the game again in the 54th minute when Cappy and Sanchez met again. This time Sanchez was able to trap and clear a back pass before Cappy was able to make a play.

The Cougars sealed the win when Sarah Hawkins dribbled two defenders in the box, putting the ball into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead in the 74th minute. The ball was kept alive by Freeman right outside the box.

North Georgia (8-4-1, 2-3-0 Peach Belt) returns to action this weekend in Peach Belt Conference play on the road against USC Aiken.

-NGCSU-

Box Score

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