Sep 16, 2008
Richmond Hands AU Women's Soccer 1-0 Loss
Sept. 16, 2008
RICHMOND, Va. - The American University women's soccer team dropped a hard fought 1-0 decision on Tuesday to Richmond in non-conference play at First Market Stadium on Tuesday. The loss drops the Eagles to 3-3-1 on the season, while the Spiders improve to 5-1-1.
The Eagles held possession in Spider territory for the opening 10 minutes of play but were unable to get any shots off. Richmond created the first real offensive threat of the game at 35:40 when they created a corner kick opportunity, however the Eagles' Erin Stebbins knocked it out. The AU back line wasn't as fortunate just 30 seconds later when they were unable to clear a Sarah Hilt shot that resulted in an own goal to give the Spiders a 1-0 lead.
AU took its first shot of the contest 17 minutes into the game when Stebbins found Lindsey Miller at the top of the box, but the shot went just wide of the net. Richmond got its second corner kick of the contest on the ensuing possession that resulted in a blast from Julia Bizer that forced Eagles keeper Kelsey Wiggins to make a sprawling save to keep the deficit to just one.
Wiggins made another great save with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half when a shot was sent to the far post by Richmond's Jessie Wolfe. Wiggins sent the ball wide for a corner that was never a threat.
AU kept the pressure high in the Richmond end for the remainder of the first half and had three corner kicks, but was unable to capitalize and entered the intermission down a goal.
In the second half, the Spiders controlled the majority of the possession over the first 20 minutes and rattled off four shots but couldn't find the net. The Eagles spent little time on offense in the final 25 minutes, but the back line remained strong allowing just two shots on goal. Richmond held on for the 1-0 final.
"We knew coming into the game we'd have to play strong and fast and we did neither of those two things well enough to beat a very good Richmond team tonight," said AU head coach Dave Bucciero. "We're disappointed with the loss, but on a positive note Kelsey Wiggins played another fantastic game in goal and kept us in the game."
Richmond held a 15-4 advantage in shots, but were only able to put five on goal. The Spiders also held a significant advantage in corners, taking 10 to the Eagles' three. Wiggins finished the game with four saves.
AU will return to action on Friday when they head to New York City for a non-conference match with Columbia at 7 p.m. The Eagles will then play Long Island on Sunday at 1 p.m.
