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Defense Propels Gators to First Win
September 6, 2006
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Behind a stifling defensive effort, the Allegheny College women’s soccer team picked up its first win of 2006 with a 2-0 decision over visiting Mount Union College in non-conference action at Robertson Field. The Gators held the Purple Raiders to just nine shots on the day, with freshman goalie Michelle Welker (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield) stopping all six she faced on goal.
After going without a goal in its first two matches this fall, Allegheny wasted little time getting on the board against Mount Union, converting on just its second shot at 9:04. Junior Ashley Hughes (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), left, corralled a loose ball from two defenders and beat the pair back to the Raider goal where she sliced a shot into the bottom right corner of the net.
The Gators fired a barrage of shots at Mount Union’s keeper in the first half, totaling 14 in all, including two by Meghan Borden (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) and Katie Murphy (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) that bounced off the post and crossbar, respectively.
Starting her first game in goal for the home team, Welker was unwavering as the first-year stuffed all Raider shot attempts including four in the second half alone.
Allegheny picked up some insurance midway through the second stanza when sophomore Christy McShea (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional), right, booted a shot over the keeper from the right wing. Murphy tallied an assist on the play.
The Gators look to make it two wins in a row with another home contest, this time at the newly renovated Frank B. Fuhrer Field on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. Allegheny will face the Lady Titans of Westminster College in the first night game in the history of the school on the new turf field.