O'Brien era begins with shutout victory
August 17, 2012
<p><strong>NASHVILLE, Tenn. –</strong> The Lipscomb (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Sun) women’s soccer team opened the 2012 season and the Kevin O’Brien era with a 2-0 shutout victory over Jackson State (0-1-0, 0-0-0 SWAC) on Friday evening at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex.</p>
<p>“We are a lot of young, young players,” O’Brien said. “I was a bit concerned as the head coach, are they going to let the occasion get to them and come in a bit rattled but I thought we came out with much more intensity and much more commitment to play both sides of the ball.”</p>
<p>Sophomore Baylee Linnell picked up a loose ball in the 37<sup>th</sup> minute beating a defender and crossing up the goalkeeper for the 1-0 Lady Bisons lead.</p>
<p>“She is a persistent player, to begin with, which is a good thing,” O’Brien said. On top of it she has extraordinary pace. When you combine those two, it’s a wonderful combination.”</p>
<p>In the 58<sup>th</sup> minute, freshman Molly Bray tacked on another goal for Lipscomb as she hit a 40-yard shot glancing off the Jackson State goalkeeper’s fingertips and into the goal.</p>
<p>“It was a brilliant goal, and quite honestly I hadn’t seen that out of her yet in training,” O’Brien said. “I knew she was good midfielder, knew she was a good possession player and understood the game at a high level but I hadn’t seen her score like that in preseason. What an awesome surprise and hopefully, there is a lot more to come.”</p>
<p>Senior goalkeeper Erin Zerio earned the shutout on opening night stopping the only shot she faced.</p>
<p>The Lipscomb defense only allowed Jackson State to shoot three shots, with just the one on goal.</p>
<p>In contrast, the Lady Bisons tallied 17 shots, landing 10 on goal including five shots from Emily Shuler and four shots from Caroline Chadwell, both freshmen playing in their first collegiate game.</p>
<p>“I thought some of the movement was very good,” O’Brien said. “The running was good and the playing off one another was good. So I was encouraged. Hopefully we will be a team that is able to score multiple goals, you know more than obviously than just a few games this season but many games.”</p>
<p>Lipscomb looks to pick up their second win in as many games as they travel to Xavier for a 7 p.m. match against the Musketeers on Monday, Aug. 20. Live stats and live video will be offered for free from the Xavier athletics website. </p>
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