The Bucs defeated College of Charleston for the first time in the history of the school soccer program Friday night by a score of 2-1.
“The team was up after the University of North Carolina-Asheville game, and our ladies realized they needed to play a full 90 minutes and complete every task,” said Coach Heather Henson.
“Practice this week focused on a lot of work on defensive tactics, and I think defensively we shut the front runners down for College of Charleston.
“Kevin Dempsey does a good job coaching. [College of Charleston is] going to come right at you, and they are going to come hard and they’re going to come fast. ”
It took the Bucs until the 19-minute mark to get on the board. Freshman Emily Flucher sent a ball into the goal box, where junior Jennifer Fields capitalized and finished the shot off.
The remainder of the half was a constant battle between the two schools, and neither could find the back of the net.
The teams compiled a total of 30 fouls in the game, keeping the officials busy.
“[The officials] do a great job, but sometimes the intensity of the game raises and it takes a little bit of time for them to catch up,” said Henson.
“But it’s not going to cost you a win, and it’s not going to give you a win, you have to overcome every obstacle on the field … be it an opponent, the weather, or whatever condition there is.”
Overcoming is an understatement for how the Bucs came out in the second half.
Twenty-two seconds into the half, senior Andrea Brown went unassisted past the Charleston defense and let loose with a shot that blasted into the goal from about 18 yards out.
“Andrea’s goal was just phenomenal. It was a line drive into the back of the net. She has stepped up tremendously as a senior and did a great job,” said Henson.
Brown isn’t the only one that stepped up. Heather Sanden and the rest of her defense played strong and held a shutout until the 83rd minute.
During that time, Sanden came off her line numerous times to stop drives by the Cougars. On two occasions, Sanden stopped point-blank shots from Claire Wigfall.
“Heather lit up the crowd and stepped up as a senior and controlled her box,” said Henson.
“She wasn’t going to let anything come through the air, and she did a great job.”
Wigfall led the Cougars with four shots and was a continual threat whenever she had the ball.
Wigfall created enough confusion and enough holes that eventually senior Perri Breenner found the goal for the Cougars.
“I am extremely happy with the win,” said Henson.
“Not only is it our first victory over College of Charleston, but it is our first conference win of the season.”
The Bucs continue their season at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Winthrop. The next home game will be Sunday at 2 p.m. against Furman at Liberty Bell.

Author