Lady Braves Soccer has something to boast about

By Melina Savage
Staff Writer

UNCP's women's soccer team, under the direction of Coach Lars Andersson, is certainly off to a great start.

The team remains undefeated 7-0-1 overall. They won three games at home, four on the road, with only one of them being a tied game.

Last season this time; the Lady Braves had already suffered four defeats, three of which were conference games against Kennesaw State University, Francis Marion University and University of North Florida.

Sept. 11, a memorable day for the whole country, the Lady Braves were out on the field having a great victory against Limestone College, defeating them 4-0.

The victory left the Lady Saints of Limestone College at 2-2. Sept. 15, the Lady Braves defeated Lenoir Rhine College 3-0 at home at the Irwin Belk Athletic Complex.

Having two games in a row with tremendous defensive stops has a great deal to do with the Lady Braves’ success.

On Sept. 18, the Lady Braves had an away game at Lander University. This game was very intense, giving the Braves a bit of competition.

Senior Simonae Taylor scored the only goal early with an assist by sophomore Kelly Jones.

The Lady Bearcats (Lander) scored the first goal against the Lady Braves this season with a little more than 12 minutes left in the first half. Both teams played great defensively, going into double overtime. The final score was 1-1.

The Lady Braves sure didn’t waste any time killing Coker College at their own field on Sept. 21. UNCP scored three goals in a matter of just 30 seconds. They led the game 5-0 by the end of the first half. Sophomore Yasemin Sunbul led the Lady Braves, scoring three goals total, and leaving the final score 8-0.

Sept. 25, the Lady Braves were on their own field at Irwin Belk Athletic Complex, going up against Clayton College and State.

The whole first half neither team scored a goal. Simonae Taylor hit a goal at 81:02; Sophomore Katie Stokes gave the assist with a little under nine minutes left in the second half of the game. All goals were made in the second half.

"Defense plays a key factor in our success, only giving up two goals at the most in a game," Coach Lars Andersson said.

The Lady Braves women's soccer team is ranked eighth in the regional rankings.

"I never dreamed that we would be this great this early on in the season," Andersson said.

He is very proud of the hard work and effort the young lady's put into this program and their success shows it.

The Lady Braves’ next game will be against Peach Belt Conference team Kennesaw State University at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Irwin Belk Athletic Complex.