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Two Second Half Goals Lift Bears Past Commodores in Nashville
Aug. 28, 2011
The Missouri State women's soccer team got a pair of second half goals from Rachel Weimer and Tiffany Laughlin to defeat Vanderbilt, 2-1, in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday afternoon. The Bears earned a Tennessee sweep with weekend wins at UT Martin and at Vanderbilt to end the season-opening road trip 2-1-0. "I am proud of the way we worked hard and battled throughout the match," commented head coach Rob Brewer after the win. "Our defending was really good today and we were able to keep possession better in the second half. We got a fortunate bounce on the game-winner and a win over an SEC team." The Bears fell behind in the first half after the Commodores were unsuccessful on their first six shots. Vanderbilt's Bridget Lohmuller got a low shot past senior goalkeeper Jessica Teahan to give VU a 1-0 lead. Missouri State would regroup at halftime. The Bears wasted little time applying pressure to the Vanderbilt defense. Rachel Weimer picked up a loose ball on the left side and streaked forward. She blew past the defender and as she approached the top of the box, sent a low shot to the far post. The shot beat Vanderbilt keeper Alexa Levick to knot the game at 1-1. Weimer's goal came at the 45:49 mark, the earliest second half goal in team history. The Bears would strike again in the 60th minute of play. As the Bears broke out on a counter attack, Nia Williams lofted a high pass towards the box. The towering blast bounced near the top of the box and was headed over Levick's head by Tiffany Laughlin and in for a 2-1 MSU lead. Missouri State's defense stood up to the Vanderbilt pressure and turned aside six Commodore shots after the Bears gained the lead. Despite being out-shot by Vanderbilt, 17-10, Teahan had to make just five saves in the match for the win.
Weimer led the Bears' attack with four shots. Laughlin and Michelle Sommer each added two shots. Shelby Stewart and Bethany Smith accounted for the Bears' other two shots. The Bears will return to Plaster Field to face Kansas in the home opener on Friday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. |
