Thursday, November 03, 2005

Boiling Springs, N.C. – April Eilering made nine saves, all but one in the second half to lift sixth-seeded Stetson to a 1-0 victory over host Gardner-Webb in the opening round of the Atlantic Sun Championship.

Stetson put the lone goal on the board in the 30th minute. Kelly Kuenning shot off a corner kick was initially saved after a diving effort from Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Corinne Razem, but the rebound came out to Sarah Stock who deposited the ball in the back of the net.

After the intermission, Gardner-Webb (7-8-2) made a series of adjustments that led to several legitimate goal scoring opportunities. Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Bulldogs had three chances including a shot by Lindsey Gladhill that nailed the crossbar after a touch from Eilering. In the 66th minute, it appeared that the third seed had knotted the game with a goal by Jessica Lane, but a foul in the box by GWU negated the score. Just two minutes later, Stetson nearly sealed the victory on Jennifer Hays’ 35-yard blast that rattled the crossbar. First team All-Atlantic Sun selection Leeanna Woodworth’s shot in the 78th minute missed wide left from just in front of the goal.

The Hatters were able to bleed off the remaining 12 minutes of the clock to secure the victory. Stetson won their fifth straight match.

For the third consecutive season, the sixth-seed has advanced to the semifinals. Stetson will face second-seeded Campbell in the nightcap of a semifinal doubleheader.