Aug. 19, 2011

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coastal Carolina women's soccer team fell to Jacksonville, 2-1, in its season opener at the North Florida Tournament on Friday evening.

Sophomore Christina Stern scored the Chanticleers first goal of the season in the 37th minute of play. Stern took a pass at the top of the box and ripped a shot past the Dolphin's keeper to the far post. The goal was Stern's third of her collegiate career.

Jacksonville evened the score just before half as Jessica Cataldo-Ramirez intercepted a clearance attempt by the Chants inside the box. Cataldo-Ramiez was then able to turn and fire the ball home to the lower left corner of the net.

Eva Leeper netted the eventual game-winner for the Dolphins in the ninth minute of the second half. Leeper received the ball from Cataldo-Ramirez just outside the 18-yard box and chipped a shot from 12 yards out to the bottom left corner of the net.

Freshman Saundra Baronstarted in goal as she logged the first complete game of her collegiate career. The Greensboro, N.C. native finished the night with seven saves, while facing nine Jacksonville shots on frame.

A total of seven Chanticleer freshmen made their collegiate debut in the game, including starters Baron, Maddie Phillips, Kacey Kelley and Rylie Johnson.

"This game taught us a lot about the kind of team we are right now," said head coach Paul Hogan. "We had some opportunities that we have to convert on in the future. We are a young team and that showed on the field against this more veteran Jacksonville team.

"Saundra Baron did a good job in goal tonight and made four huge saves in the second half that kept us in the game. Christina Stern played well up top and in the midfield and Cami Skladanydid a good job making her presence known on our backline."

Jacksonville ended the night with a nine shots on goal compared to Coastal's two. Each squad earned three corner kicks.

The Chants will wrap up the North Florida Tournament on Sunday as they play the host Osprey at 2 p.m.