Oct. 25, 2009

Final Stats

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - One goal in the 83rd minute was all it took to help the Belmont women's soccer team (9-5-4, 6-1-3 A-Sun) its Atlantic Sun's regular season title in program history. The Bruins collected their ninth shutout of the season, knocking off UNF 2-0 on the road Sunday afternoon to earn a bye for the first round of the A-Sun Tournament.

A trio of corner kicks nearly had the Bruins on the board in the first half but Osprey netminder Racheal Howard was able to come away with critical saves. Senior Annie Musacchio (Nashville, Tenn.) launched the first, opening the door for junior Jayme Trocino (Franklin, Tenn.) to fire her first shot of the day in the 18th minute. At the 36:36 mark, junior Jessica Rix (Carmel, Ind.) fired BU's second corner kick to the awaiting head of rookie Laura Harris (Macon, Ga.). Five minutes later, Rix's second attempt from the corner found sophomore Jamie Loftis (Hermitage, Tenn.) but her header was stopped by the UNF defense. Freshman Megan Rock (Madison, Miss.) recorded Belmont's final shot of the half in the 43rd minute could not get past Howard. UNF's best attempt to get on the board immediately followed but Michelle Larrinaga's shot banged off the crossbar.

The strong back-and-forth defensive play continued into the second stanza. The match-up looked to be heading to extra periods until the 81st minute. Rix launched another corner kick and the Bruins were quickly called offsides as they made their way to the goal. Senior Elizabeth Bublis (Norman, Okla.) notched her lone shot of the game at the 82:47 mark but her attempt sailed over the net. With the momentum in its favor, BU was awarded another corner kick. Rix again made the attempt which landed in traffic inside the box. Loftis was able to get her head on the ball for her third goal of the season eight seconds later. Three minutes later, a free kick from freshman Brandi Phillips (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) got the ball into the box to Trocino who faced off against Howard one-on-one, netting the insurance goal at the 85:41 mark.

Jayme Trocino led BU's offensive effort with three shots. Jamie Loftis added two shots while Bublis, Harris, Paynter and Rock each notched one attempt.

Lin went the distance inside the net, logging one save.

North Florida held the narrow advantage in shots, 10-9, while the Bruins held the advantage in corner kicks, 6-5.

"I'm just so proud of how much the program has grown and so proud of these girls getting this win for us on the road," said Head Coach Lisa Howe. "Those last seven minutes in the Florida heat, we were able to breakthrough so many barriers and a lot obstacles to get that one goal and another one right away. It says a lot about our team, their character and grit.

"We're tied for first place! We won the regular season championship! This was our goal from day one of preseason. (For us) to be able to have six road games and four home games and still come out of the conference with one loss this season was great. This is a team that is hitting its stride in time for the tournament. Hopefully we will be prepared."

As co-Champions of the Atlantic Sun regular season title, the Bruins earn a bye for the first round. Kennesaw State claimed home field advantage throughout the tournament.

First Round
10/31/2009 #6 Campbell at #3 Stetson DeLand, Fla.
10/31/2009 #5 Mercer at #4 Jacksonville Jacksonville, Fla.

Semifinals 11/5/2009 #4 or #5 seed at #1 seed Kennesaw, Ga.
11/5/2009 #3 or #6 seed vs #2 seed Kennesaw, Ga.

Championship 11/7/2009 Lower seed vs Higher seed Kennesaw, Ga.