Second-straight shutout leads Niners
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte women’s soccer continued its streak of not allowing a goal on the Transamerica Field surface this season, knocking off cross-county rival Davidson 2-0 Sunday evening. It marked the second-straight shutout of the year for the 49ers and third overall heading into the start of Conference USA action next weekend.
Charlotte (3-3-1) evened its record thanks to a solid first half, which produced both scores on the evening. The Niners controlled much of the play and used a foul called on Davidson to net the game’s first goal at 22:47. Freshman Martha Thomas, who became a nuscince for the Wildcats defense all night by creating opportunities for herself and her teammates, draw an infraction inside the 18-yard box to set up a penalty kick.
Senior Preseason All-Conference USA selection Amanda Jones toed the line and knocked her free chance low past Rachel Locke to put the 49ers ahead, 1-0. It marked the first penalty kick chance for Charlotte since Jonna Handra converted an attempt at St. Bonaventure Oct. 14, 2011. It also provided Jones her first goal of the campaign after pacing the squad with 10 last season.
It would be not even four minutes later when Charlotte would strike again. Senior Sara Trexler sent a long through ball to a streaking Perri Bonner, who then sent a low shot past a charging Locke to increase the margin to a pair at the 26:32 mark. Bonner’s goal gave her four on the year, setting a new career high.
After the two teams entered the intermission with the score unchanged, Davidson (3-6-1) found itself with better chances in the second period. However, the 49ers defensive unit, led by redshirt junior goalkeeper Annika McHenry, prevented the Wildcats from scoring. McHenry finished the night with five saves in her fifth career shutout, sliding into eighth on the program’s all-time list passing Laurel Gooch (1994-96).
Jones topped the Niners with four shots, placing three on goal, while junior Maddie Kiebel added a trio. Vicky Bruce led the Wildcats with five attempts.
Charlotte returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday in Boca Raton, Florida, when it opens defense of its Conference USA East Division crown at Florida Atlantic. The preseason league favorites will remain in the Sunshine State through the weekend, heading to Miami for a 1 p.m. Sunday contest at FIU.
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