Latorre's Game-Winner Propels Gardner-Webb to 2-1 Win in Season Finale Versus UNC Asheville
October 30, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Senior Karyn Latorre scored the go-ahead and game-winning goal in the 65th minute off a Meagan Reynolds assist, and Gardner-Webb overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to rally for a win at home in the Runnin' Bulldogs' season finale, 2-1, over UNC Asheville Tuesday night at Greene-Harbison Field.
With her squad tied midway through the second period in the home and season finale, GWU's Latorre picked a good time to net the first goal of her collegiate career, timing a run perfectly off a pass from Reynolds to avoid an offsides call and earn a one v. one opportunity with Asheville keeper Heather Muller. The senior made good on her opportunity, chipping a ball from left to right over the Bulldogs' keeper and into the back of the net to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute.
The well-timed assist from Reynolds provides a fitting end to a productive season for the senior from Kings Mountain, N.C., who finishes the 2013 campaign with a team-leading six assists on the year.
Latorre (Bogota, Colombia) also recorded the first assist of her collegiate career Tuesday night, kick-starting an emphatic second half for the Runnin' Bulldogs with a through ball that found the foot of an attacking Brandi Arey in Asheville's defensive third. The freshman from Huntersville, N.C. received the ball behind the Bulldog defense, dribbled inside the box, and fired a grounder past Muller for the equalizer, tying the match at 1-1 to set the stage for the go-ahead hookup between seniors Reynolds and Latorre.
UNC Asheville (6-5-2, 2-7-2 Big South) held a one goal lead for just over 40 minutes in the match after Shenny Lehhart scored her third goal of the season after GWU's defense misplayed a ball in the defensive third. Lehhart received an pass from Megan Foster, then pounded a shot from the center of the pitch that hit the left post and bounced in, giving the road Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute of play.
Gardner-Webb (4-14-1, 2-9 Big South) was able to create second half momentum starting at the defensive end, as the Runnin' Bulldogs' defensive third was able to turn around its second half struggles and buckle down in the second half to limit the quality looks created by Asheville.
Heady play from defenders Addison Abee (Charlotte, N.C.) and Maria Pack (Frederick, Md.) in the second period of play kept the middle of the pitch clear of Asheville runs form the likes of Kennedy Garrett, Amanda Knapp, and others by clearing the ball away consistently throughout the second half. Speedy outside defender Haley Ahrenholtz (Laremie, Wyo.) was effective in halting outside runs mounted by the Asheville forwards as well.
The visitors garnered perhaps their best look at netting the equalizer in the 89th minute after a free kick from 20 yards out gave Asheville a promising opportunity in the match's final minutes. The attempt was played into the box, where the ball was batted around until Lehhart got enough of the ball to challenge GWU keeper Amy Schmitt from five yards out. Schmitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) caught the ball in close, helping the Runnin' Buldogs secure the 2-1 home win.
Latorre (1 goal, 1 assist) led GWU offensively, playing a part in both the equalizer as well as the go-ahead goal. Arey netted her third goal of the season to finish 2013 as GWU's second-leading scorer in just her first year of collegiate soccer. Reynolds chipped in the tenth assist of her Runnin' Bulldog career for her part in the game-winning goal.
For UNC Asheville, Lehhart was the catalyst offensively, recording a game-high six shots as well as three shots on goal while helping put the visitors up 1-0 in the first half with her 15th minute goal.
Schmitt took the win for GWU, improving to 4-14-1 on the year in a three-save effort. Muller took the loss, also tallying three saves while her record moved to 6-5-2 on the year.
| Box Score: Gardner-Webb 2, UNC Asheville 1 |
