Golden Eagles Power Past Gamecocks on Friday, 2-0

August 26, 2011

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Freshman Macie Wallace dribbled into the corner, took three steps in and ripped what proved to be the game winning goal into the upper right corner as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-1-1) defeated the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State (0-3-0) 2-0 on Friday at the Southern Miss Soccer Complex.

The goal was the first goal for the Golden Eagles this season and the first of Wallace’s career.

In the 55th minute, sophomore Chelsea Cruthirds gave the Black and Golden an insurance goal as she laced her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. Cruthirds took a magnificent feed from the midfield, dribbled up and ripped a shot from 25 yards out into the upper left corner over a diving Katelyn Geddings.

For coach Scott Ebke, the finishing tact of his team was a welcome sight.

“What I’ve said after these first two games is we have to just finish on our opportunities,” the fourth year coach noted. “Today, we finally accomplished that and I’m proud of the effort of our team for making the most of their chances.”

Wallace was on the verge of tacking on her second goal of the match in the 83rd minute but Geddings was able to come off her line quick enough to force the shot outside.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles maintained their line for the second straight clean sheet. The team has now played over 200 minutes of scoreless soccer dating back to the season opener at Ole Miss on Aug. 19. Ebke has relied on three veterans in Amy Davis, Caitlin Leumas and Elisha Tarbell, as well as true freshman Conner McKie to hold the back line for his squad.

“We got another excellent effort from our back line,” said Ebke. “I can’t say enough how proud I am of their effort day in and day out. Our keepers have played exceptional soccer and it just shows how committed they are to practice and training.”

The back-to-back shutouts mark the first time the Golden Eagles have held opponents scoreless in consecutive games since 2008 and the 22 shots mark the most for an Ebke coached squad since the 2010 season opener against Mississippi Valley when they took 26 shots.

Hannah Vanderboegh (1-1) picked up her first victory of the season after making four saves. JSU starter Ali Koenig (0-2) suffered the loss.

The Golden Eagles will now travel to Lafayette, La., to take on Louisiana on Sunday. Kickoff for the match is set for 1 p.m.