COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Over 500 fans “crammed the complex” on Sunday afternoon to support the women’s soccer team at their first home match of the season against the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs.
Tech dominated the first half of play, maintaining possession for the majority of the half in their attacking end and peppering Bulldog keeper Megan Dent with seven shots to Asheville’s four. However, the score remained even at 0 at the end of 45.
Momentum continued for Tech heading into the second half, and less than two minutes in sophomore Sarah Gawthrop collected the ball off Kerri Reid’s feet on a trip to notch her first goal of season.
A mere eight minutes later, Reid earned her second assist of the game when she hooked up with Andrea Meloff, who punched a low shot past Dent on the dive to give the Golden Eagles the 2-0 lead.
Asheville got their first break of the game in the 86th minute of play, narrowing the score to 2-1 on an unassisted goal by Ferriss Roberts over keeper Becca Toler’s head. Tech, however, was unshaken, and immediately answered with an unassisted goal by the 2009 Co-Freshman of the Year, Kris Cambron.
Cambron logged seven of Tech’s 20 shots on the day, while eight other players combined for the remaining 13. Toler played all 90 minutes for Tech, making two saves on the day and earning her first career win, while Dent posted six saves for Asheville.
“Asheville was a great opponent, they played well and I think they really came out to compete,” said head coach Daniel Brizard. “I think they did a good job, but we handled the pressure well. We worked hard, but we also worked smart. We maintained possession well and had a better transition game. I think this was the first time that we actually put together a complete game."
The crowd played a huge role in setting the tone for today’s game, as the turnout of over 500 stayed behind the Golden Eagles for all 90 minutes of play.
“We had a great crowd; I think that Cram the Complex was excellent, so for both teams to be able to play in front of 500-plus spectators was awesome,” Brizard continued. “They were fantastic, I want them to come out for every soccer game this year – the fraternities, the sororities, everyone, I loved all of them! If there’s anything I can do to get them out here for every game, I’ll do it!”