2008 Woodie Awards
Soccer off to strong start
Matt Stamp
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Sports
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After struggling in exhibition play, the Samford University soccer team opened the regular season with back-to-back shut-out victories this past weekend.
The Bulldogs defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles on Friday and the Kennesaw State Owls on Sunday, capturing the Samford Barber's Invitational championship title.
"I have to give credit to our defense, we definitely stepped up and played well," senior defender Heather Birdsell said.
Samford (2-0) was looking to bounce back from an early exit to last year's OVC tournament. The Bulldogs were also searching for their 100th all-time victory in program history.
With a look at a future Southern Conference opponent, Samford opened up the tournament against Georgia Southern on Friday night.
Only 17 minutes into the game, true freshman forward Lauren Cook scored her first collegiate goal off an assist from fellow true freshman Leah Leppert. Cook's goal would prove to be the game-winner in a physical defensive battle. It was the 100th win all-time for Samford and the 63rd win for Head Coach Todd Yelton, the most successful coach in program history.
In game two of the invitational, Samford hosted Kennesaw State.
During the first half, both teams had multiple scoring opportunities but were equally met with stingy defense. The Bulldogs were out shot 5-3 in the opening half but junior goal keeper Caley Winthers made two key saves to keep the half-time score tied at 0-0.
Less than one minute into the second half, freshman midfielder Hilary Samuel put Samford on the board from 10 yards out off a crossing pass from Leppert. The goal was Samuel's first of her career, and the assist was Leppert's second of the season.
Later in the half, Samford was awarded a penalty kick after a KSU defender made an illegal tackle. Cook took advantage of the opportunity, netting her second goal of the weekend and increasing Samford's lead 2-0.
But Samford and Cook were not quite finished.
The Bulldogs defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles on Friday and the Kennesaw State Owls on Sunday, capturing the Samford Barber's Invitational championship title.
"I have to give credit to our defense, we definitely stepped up and played well," senior defender Heather Birdsell said.
Samford (2-0) was looking to bounce back from an early exit to last year's OVC tournament. The Bulldogs were also searching for their 100th all-time victory in program history.
With a look at a future Southern Conference opponent, Samford opened up the tournament against Georgia Southern on Friday night.
Only 17 minutes into the game, true freshman forward Lauren Cook scored her first collegiate goal off an assist from fellow true freshman Leah Leppert. Cook's goal would prove to be the game-winner in a physical defensive battle. It was the 100th win all-time for Samford and the 63rd win for Head Coach Todd Yelton, the most successful coach in program history.
In game two of the invitational, Samford hosted Kennesaw State.
During the first half, both teams had multiple scoring opportunities but were equally met with stingy defense. The Bulldogs were out shot 5-3 in the opening half but junior goal keeper Caley Winthers made two key saves to keep the half-time score tied at 0-0.
Less than one minute into the second half, freshman midfielder Hilary Samuel put Samford on the board from 10 yards out off a crossing pass from Leppert. The goal was Samuel's first of her career, and the assist was Leppert's second of the season.
Later in the half, Samford was awarded a penalty kick after a KSU defender made an illegal tackle. Cook took advantage of the opportunity, netting her second goal of the weekend and increasing Samford's lead 2-0.
But Samford and Cook were not quite finished.
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