Box Score COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Eckerd College women's soccer team out-shot the University of West Alabama on Friday afternoon but a late goal by the Tigers sent the Tritons away with their first loss of the season.
Despite an even matchup, West Alabama's Chelsea Commings found the back of the net in the 88th minute in what became the eventual game-winning goal. The Tritons finished the match with 17 shots, six on frame, outshooting West Alabama by two.
"We are going to grow from it and become better," EC head coach Danielle Fotopoulos said. "It was a really great game and I'm proud of us."
Eckerd created several close scoring opportunities but was unable to capitalize. Some of the positives Fotopoulos took away from today were the team's ability to move the ball and create combination plays. Newcomers Olivia Ross-Johnson and Ashley Kreinbring notched four shots apiece, while Kayla Gray, Sydney Tiiman and Gabriela Martinez also had quality chances scoring chances.
Despite the late goal, Eckerd's defense was able to shut down West Alabama's top offensive player, TeMia Pride, as freshman goalkeeper Casey Winn stopped all five of her shots on goal.
"Defensively, we worked more as a unit and we played well together," Fotopoulos said. "It was a much different level game than yesterday and it was good we were tested."
Going forward, Eckerd will face No. 18 University of North Alabama on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Columbus, Georgia, to finish a series of three matches in four days to open the season,
