Friday, August 26, 2005

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Susan Persson and Ashlee Naylor both found the net to lead Campbell past Longwood 2-1 Friday at the Eakes Athletic Complex in the women’s soccer regular season debut. With the win Campbell moves to 1-0 on the season while Longwood drops to 0-1.

The match had several firsts for the Camels. In his first game as head coach, Matthew Dillon got his first collegiate win. The team also featured nine players who were making their first official appearances for the Camels. The starting defense of, Caity Brown, Christina Demers, Allie Frakes and Sarah Durham was comprised totally of freshmen, while junior goalkeeper Samar Azem also made her first official start.

The first to score was senior captain Persson who broke the deadlock at 26:00 into the match, when she got on the end of a Demers corner kick. The Stockholm, Sweden native, who led the Camels in goals and points last season, would finish the match with three points.

Just after freshman Amanda Murphy saw her shot bounce out off the post, it was Ashlee Naylor who opened her Campbell goal account at 76:07 into the match. The freshman from Long Valley, N.J. slotted the ball to the far post off an assist from Persson and sophomore captain Kathryn Saunders.

The Lancers did not give in, and were able to break back just over two minutes later with a set piece goal of their own. Senior Tiffany Rice sent a free kick across the Campbell area that found Aynsley Birkner who headed the ball past Azem and into the Campbell goal.

With the score still in doubt Longwood saw a great chance to draw level denied by some solid goalkeeping. Freshman forward Brooke Brumby made her way through the Campbell defense and went one-on-one with Azem who was able to come out and deny the shot pushing it wide before it was cleared for a corner kick.

The Camels return to action Monday as they face Old Dominion at the Eakes Athletic Complex at 7:00 p.m.