Friday, November 03, 2006

KENNESAW, Ga. – Jacksonville scored two goals in less than three minutes including the game-winner just 46 seconds into overtime as the No. 5-seed Dolphins stunned top-seed Kennesaw State, 2-1, in the semifinals of the 2006 Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Soccer Championships at the KSU Soccer Complex.

Jacksonville (10-9-1) scored in the 89th minute when Angela Hulse, in the midst of a scramble in front of the Kennesaw State goal, tapped in a loose ball from six yards out to tie the match and send the affair into overtime.

As quick as the game was tied, it ended even faster as Jacksonville’s Emilie Howland took a cross from Angela Hulse and fired the game-winner to the lower left corner past a diving Kennesaw State goalkeeper Staci Pugh.

Kennesaw State (13-2-2), in their first their first year of postseason eligibility since joining the A-Sun last season, had control of the match throughout, out shooting Jacksonville 35-6, but could only capitalize on one opportunity. The Owls got on the board in the 28th minute when A-Sun Player of the Year Laura Tucker scored on a six-yard tap off a cross from the conference's leader in assists, Sara Clapham. The goal was a result of constant pressure the Owls put on the Dolphins during the first stanza. Kennesaw State out shot Jacksonville 19-2 in the first half.

Jacksonville keeper Michelle Kmiotek kept her teammates in the match by stopping 22 shots including a flurry of five shots in the opening minutes of the second half.

The Dolphins will play Stetson in the championship match on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Release courtesy of KSU Athletic Communications

General Notes
-- Jacksonville becomes the first No. 5 seed to reach the finals.
-- JU's Michelle Kmiotek's 22 saves is the second highest in tournament history.
-- The Dolphins won their last title in 2000 as the No. 1 seed.