CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Senior Donna-Kay Henry (Queens Village, N.Y.) and junior Becca Smith (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) teamed up to give the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s soccer team a 2-1 win over Alabama A&M to close out the Mocs’ non-conference slate Friday night at Finley Stadium. Chattanooga improves to 5-1-1, its best start through seven games in school history, and run its unbeaten streak to five games. The Bulldogs drop to 0-6 on the year.

 

Despite outshooting the Bulldogs 23-4, the Mocs allowed Alabama A&M to score first on a shot from Celeste Roberts from 30 yards out. The ball arced over the defense and cleared the hands of Chattanooga keeper Taylor Mangrum in the 16^th minute to give A&M a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first of the year for the Bulldogs who started the season with five straight shutouts.

 

Later in the first half, the Mocs gained the equalizer on Henry’s first goal of the season. Smith, with her back to the goal, she headed the ball past a couple of Bulldog defenders to Henry who broke for the goal. Henry gained control of the ball and sent a soft shot past Alabama A&M’s keeper into the bottom left corner of the goal.

 

Shortly into the second half, the pair teamed up again and Smith netted her fourth game-winning goal of the year. This time it was Henry’s turn to send a header into the box that was picked up by Smith and nailed home in the 53^rd minute.

 

Chattanooga shut the Bulldogs offense down completely in the second half, not allowing a single shot. Mangrum had just one save in the game to the Bulldogs’ Linda Aboagye eight.

 

Smith got off 10 shots including one that rang off the upright on a free kick. Her 10 attempts ties for seventh most in a game all-time for the Mocs. Henry had five looks at the goal while Kelly Crew (Brisbane, Australia) and Jordan Middleton (Ooltewah, Tenn.) each had two shots.

 

The Mocs closed out the non-conference portion of the schedule Friday night and will open Southern Conference play Friday, September 23 at UNC Greensboro at 7 p.m. then travel to Elon for a 2 p.m. matchup on Sunday, September 25. The Spartans are 1-6 overall and the Phoenix 2-4-1 after a win over High Point Friday night.

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

NO.    TIME          TEAM            GOAL SCORER                           ASSIST

1          15:32         AAMU          Celeste Roberts (1)                 (unassisted)

2          32:41         UTC                Donna-Kay Henry (1)              (Becca Smith)

3          52:53         UTC                Becca Smith (7)                         (Donna-Kay Henry)