Posted by Gregory Ruff - Mon, Nov 19, 2007 - [Women's Soccer] - Viewed 1112 times
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The fifth-seeded Martin Methodist women's soccer
team captured the program's second national title in three
seasons with
a 2-1 win over No. 3 Azusa Pacific, Tuesday night at the Embry-Riddle
Soccer Stadium. The RedHawks, who won their first national title in
2005, scored twice in the first half to close out their 2007 campaign
at 20-3-1.
"It's just amazing," Martin Methodist head coach
Gerry Cleary said following the match. "The girls have worked hard all
year. I got lucky with the group of seniors we have and they made our
program."
Both teams were evenly matched with Martin Methodist
putting up seven shots to Azusa Pacific's nine. APU took four corner
kicks and yielded none to the RedHawks, while Martin Methodist held a
4-3 edge in shots on frame.
Martin Methodist scored in the sixth
minute when Amanda Johansson played the ball into Shannon Walter at the
top of the six-yard box and Walter tapped in her second goal in as many
games to give the RedHawks a one-goal lead.
Azusa Pacific won a
throw-in on the left side of the field in the 27th minute and a couple
of touches got the ball to Theresa Broad on the right side of the
18-yard box. Broad passed the ball to Sarah Yoro in the center of the
box and Yoro headed home her 13th goal of 2007 to knot the score at 1-1.
The
RedHawks reclaimed the lead seven minutes later when Walter crossed the
ball into Clare Sykes who was standing a few yards outside the box and
Sykes rocketed a low shot past Jill Colfer-Martinson to make the score
2-1.
The second half was a defensive battle with both teams
combining for just seven shots. Martin Methodist goalkeeper Sarah
Prendergast pulled the Cougars' only shot on frame to preserve the win.
Azusa Pacific, making its second straight appearance in the title game, ended its season at 20-2-1
All-Tournament Team
ForwardsTheresa Broad, Azusa Pacific
Janaina Noves, Lee
Jenni Annicchiarico, Carroll
Sarah Yoro, Azusa Pacific
MidfieldersOmolyn Davis, Lindsey Wilson
Justine Pronovost, Concordia
Lynsey Domene, Azusa Pacific
Randie Massro, Azusa Pacific
DefendersKatie Martin, Carroll
Marcia Silva, Martin Methodist
Jackie Pronovost, Concordia
Victoria Charmley, Martin Methodist
GoalkeeperSarah Prendergast, Martin Methodist
Offensive MVPTheresa Broad, Azusa Pacific
Defensive MVPSarah Prendergast, Martin Methodist
Tournament MVPMarcia Silva, Martin Methodist
Click for more the latest NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Results
