Senior Day Special: Morris Heads Home Game-Winning Goal Against Jacksonville
October 20, 2007 | Women's Soccer
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Senior Elicia Morris used her head, literally, against the Jacksonville Dolphins Saturday afternoon, helping the Bulldogs secure a 1-0 victory in a key A-Sun match-up.
The Bulldogs improve to 6-9 overall and 4-4 in A-Sun play.
After 74 minutes of scoreless action, sophomore Sarah Keyser found Elicia Morris at the far post on a set piece off a corner kick, who headed home the game-winning goal.
The Bulldogs had numerous opportunities in the opening stanza to not only get on the board, but to also break the match wide open.
The best chances GWU had came on the same play. After a Bulldog was fouled near the end-line on the far side of the field, Angie Harvey took the kick, which was just outside the box. The ball was chipped into the box where Lindsey Gladhill headed it toward the goal. Just inches away from giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead, Rebecca Stott got a hand on it, preventing the score.
With the ball back into the box, Kasey Gladhill took a low kick, who Stott also saved. Brittany Woods ended up with the ball just a few yards out and aimed at the right corner of the goal. Once again, Stott was up to the challenge and made a diving save to her left to keep the score tied at zero.
JU's best chance came in the 27th minute of play as a GWU defender fouled a Dolphins player near the end-line, just feet outside of the box. Emme Graham received a pass that was played to the near post and headed it to the top left of the goal, but GWU keeper Sarah Wyszynski deflected the shot, essentially keeping the match scoreless.
Although the Dolphins were able to push the ball past midfield on a couple occasions, GWU mainly dominated the first half, tallying 12 shots, including seven on goal, compared to three shots and just one on goal for the visitors.
In the 59th minute, Britney Hernandez was nearly even with the goal for JU and tried to go far post. With the ball already past a diving Wyszynski, senior Brittany Woods dove toward the end-line and kicked what was a sure goal back into the field of play, maintaining the scoreless tie.
In the 70th minute, Lindsey Gladhill played a ball from the far side of the field in the JU defensive third to the middle. Angie Harvey took the ball, turned to her right and took two dribbles, placing her near the top left of the box. Harvey played a left-footed shot toward the far post, only to see the ball trickle past the right post by six inches.
A minute later, Harvey again was pushed to the outside of the box, yet fired again toward the goal. However, Stott was up for the stuff, not allowing Harvey's ball to get past her.
After the GWU score, Keri Zwikker had a breakaway in the 77th minute for Jacksonville and met a diving Wyszynski at the top of the box. A foul was called, awarding Zwikker a penalty kick. Zwikker took the kick and tried to go to the right of the goal. Wyszynski dove to her left, which was the way Zwikker's ball was heading. However, Zwikker misplayed the ball and it went just wide of the goal, preserving the 1-0 lead.
The Dolphins continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes, but the GWU defense proved to be too much, securing the win.
For the match, GWU notched 18 shots to nine for JU. Wyszynski recorded her second shutout of the year by notching five saves. Stott had eight in the loss.
The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday at Mercer. Game-time
is slated for 7 p.m.
| Box Score |
