Oct. 22, 2010
Final Stats
CHARLESTON, S.C.- The Coastal Carolina women's soccer team shocked the Big South leading Buccaneers of Charleston Southern by pulling a 2-1 upset at Blackbaud Stadium on the Buccaneers senior night.
The win improves the Chants to 9-7-1 (5-2-0, Big South) while Charleston Southern falls to 11-6-1 (5-1-1, Big South) on the season.
The Chanticleers were able to find a lethal scoring combination in the form of senior Anna Tupy and freshman Kate Wilkinson as the pair combined for both of the Chants goals and assists.
Tupy was responsible for the eventual game winner in the 87th minute of the contest as she took a touch from Wilkinson just outside the 18 and fired a low lining shot to the far right corner of the net. The goal was Tupy's fifth on the season and second game winner in three games.
Coastal came out strong and executed their game plan of maintaining steady offensive pressure and keeping the ball away from Charleston Southern and the nations leading scorer Mary Boyce. The Chants held the Buccaneers scoreless in the first half, including not allowing Boyce to take a single shot, as the team took a 0-0 tie into the half for the ninth time this season. The Chants were able to find room inside the Buccaneer 18 in the half, but were unable to get a solid boot on any of the shots.
Coastal controlled the majority of the possession time in the half as the Chants were able to fire off six shots in the frame and with one on goal. Coastal also held a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks heading in to the locker room.
The Chanticleers best opportunity to score in the first half came at the 41:31 mark as Charleston Southern's goal keeper came off her line to block a cross. The Buccaneer keeper deflected the ball into the air where it was collected by Coastal's Katie Wahl. Wahl fired a shot on frame that was ultimately deflected by a Charleston Southern defender.
The first half featured both of goal keeper Amy Haggard 's saves on the night. One of which was highlight reel worthy as Haggard made a diving save to her left to deflect a Casey Bolduc shot into the near post and harmlessly away.
The second half was more of the same through the first 20 minutes. The Chanticleer backline led by senior Colleen Schohl and sophomore Cami Skladany continued to shut down the lethal Buccaneer attack as the Chants defenders continuously camped out in the Charleston Southern passing lanes.
Coastal had numerous opportunities from close range through the beginning of the half as the Chants fired seven shots in the first 12 minutes. Tupy created a great look at the goal as she took a pass and fired a shot from 17 yards out that was met by Charleston Southern's Amy Arroyo, making a highlight reel save of her own, to deflect the ball over the cross bar.
Charleston Southern finally broke through the Chanticleer defense in the 67th minute of the contest as Michelle Dennis was able to head the ball home to her left past an outstretched Haggard.
The Chants were able to net the equalizer in the 79th minute off the foot of Wilkinson. Wilkinson, who ignited the scoring opportunity after some nifty moves to pass the Buccaneer defense, took a low lying cross from Tupy and connected with her right foot to put the ball into the back of the net past the Charleston Southern keeper. The goal is Wilkinson's fourth on the season and second in as many games.
"This was a great team win for us tonight," said head coach Tammy DeCesare. "We came out right away and established a presence in our offensive third of the field. Our backline did a great job shutting down Charleston Southern's very productive attack and our forwards kept creating opportunities. This win shows that we can compete with and are among the best in the Big South this season."
Coastal finished with a 21-10 edge in shots and a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Chants also out cornered Charleston Southern by eight on the night.
Coastal will return to the pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 27 as the regular season ending road trip continues at Gardner-Webb. Kick off from Boiling Spring, N.C. is set for 7 p.m.
