Oct. 23, 2009

Final Stats

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Impressive work inside the net by reigning Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Week sophomore goalkeeper Sari Lin (Carefree, Ariz.) on the road at Jacksonville (7-6-4, 4-1-4, A-Sun) inched the Belmont women's soccer team (8-5-4, 5-1-3 A-Sun) closer to claiming its first ever regular season conference title. The Bruins battled to a double overtime scoreless tie with the Dolphins on Friday night.

JU dominated the Bruins statistically in the first half but neither team was able to move the ball into scoring position. Belmont got hot in the final three minutes of regulation with back-to-back shots coming from freshman Lauren Paynter (Danville, Ky.) and junior Madison Porter (Marietta, Ga.). However, the first went just wide and the second was blocked by the defense.

In the second half, the Bruins wasted little time hunting for the first goal of the night. Senior Annie Musacchio (Nashville, Tenn.) fired a shot in the first 49 seconds that was quickly followed by one from junior Erica Carter (Spring, Texas). Jacksonville answered back with a corner kick that led the way for three consecutive shots, two of which were saved by the quick hands of Lin. The teams traded high and wide shots until around the 80th minute when BU was able to notch back-to-back corner shots. It wasn't until seven minutes later that Musacchio would again fire a pair of shots that just narrowly missed being the gamewinner.

A defensive grudge match defined the first overtime period leading the way to a do-or-tie final overtime period. Musacchio launched her next to last attempt of the night in the 110th minute and the final three minutes later but was unable to get the ball by JU goalkeeper Alexa Rooney. Senior Alex Mindel (Marietta, Ga.) notch Belmont final attempt in the 107th minute and both teams were forced to settle for a tie as time expired.

Lin went the distance inside the net, coming away with eight saves. Jacksonville held the advantage in shots, 25-17, but the Bruins held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-3.

Musacchio led the Bruins' offensive effort with a match-high seven shots. Jayme Trocino and Carter each added a pair on the night.

"These were two really good teams tonight. Sari played great. She had eight saves," said Head Coach Lisa Howe. "We had a really productive second half. We created good opportunities. We were unlucky not to finish. But we used that luck on the defensive end to keep them from scoring."

Belmont returns to action on Sunday at North Florida for its final regular season contest of the year. Match time is slated for Noon CT and the game will be available on ASun.TV.