Lady Braves’ offense comes alive

By Brandon Barber
Sports Editor

The UNCP women’s soccer team started the season with two goals on 24 shots, 17 on goal, on their way to a 2-0 record. It has taken juniors Melanie Cobb and Jamie Clarke just three games to surpass all of those stats.

Head coach Lars Andersson has been very pleased with the play of his team so far this season.

UNCP defeated a nationally-ranked opponent for the first time in team history on Sept. 6, in a 1-0 victory over No. 23 Catawba College. Following that big win, Andersson gave his team some advice that they have taken to heart.

Photo by Joel Beachum Marisol Martinez (center) eludes two St. Andrews defenders in the Lady Braves' 4-0 victory on Sept. 14.

“I told them the difference between a good team and a great team is the ability to close out your opponent,” Andersson said.

The Lady Braves moved to 5-0 after recording their second shutout of the season when they defeated St. Andrews Presbyterian College by a score of 4-0 in Laurinburg, N.C., Sept. 14.

Clarke got the scoring underway shortly before halftime with her fourth goal of the year. The Lady Knights were called for a handball inside their own box, setting up a penalty kick that Clarke took full advantage of.

The Lady Braves wasted very little time getting on the scoreboard in the second half, scoring one goal at the 51:50 mark and another less than a minute later.

Freshman Sarah Day’s second goal of the year gave UNCP a 2-0 lead. Day netted the unassisted goal after dribbling in close and drilling a shot past St. Andrews’ freshman goalkeeper Garrison Burton.

Cobb scored her team-high sixth goal of the year on a breakaway set up by an assist from freshman Nisa Akins. It was the fourth consecutive game in which Cobb scored.

Cobb also played a role in the final goal of the game, as she tallied an assist on senior Erin Rowley’s first goal of the year.

Junior goalkeeper Hillary Helms picked up her first win of the year as she made one save on two shots.

Andersson has an idea of why the offense has finally come to life.

“Obviously, the opening game is difficult regardless of the opponent,” Andersson said.

“We’re scoring more goals because we’re faster, more athletic and we have great depth,” he said.

St. Andrews is winless on the year. The loss dropped them to 0-4.

UNCP defeats Coker 5-1

Cobb scored two of five goals for the second consecutive game, as the Lady Braves defeated Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. on Sept. 13.

Cobb’s first goal came in the 24th minute of the first half on an assist from junior Allie Black.

The Lady Cobras answered just three minutes later with an unassisted goal from sophomore Shelly Heinzelman.

The score remained tied until the 32nd minute when the Lady Braves reclaimed the lead with a goal, of sort. An own goal by Coker led to UNCP going up by a score of 2-1.

The Lady Braves dominated the second half of the game, scoring three goals and out-shooting Coker 14-2.

Cobb got the post-halftime scoring underway when she netted her second goal on a breakaway in the 52nd minute.

Clarke scored her third goal of the year on a penalty kick in the 64th minute.

Senior Sarah Dagnachew capped off the night with an unassisted goal with 13 minutes left to play. The goal was her first of the year.