Tuesday, October 24, 2006

                                                                         

BLUE HOSE UPSET NO. 12 TUSCULUM 1-0 IN FOOD LION SAC SOCCER TOURNAMENT

                                                      

                GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Claire Joyce scored the only goal of the night and Erin Sinkuler recorded 11 saves as seventh-seeded Presbyterian upset No. 2 seed Tusculum 1-0 Tuesday in a quarterfinal match of the 2006 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament. 

 

With the victory, the Blue Hose (8-9) advance to Friday's semifinal against No. 3 seed Catawba in Hickory, N.C. beginning at 3 p.m.  Catawba defeated No. 6 Newberry 2-1. 

 

Tusculum, who is ranked No. 12 in NCAA Division II, loses in the opening round of the SAC Tournament for the first time in school history.  The Pioneers (12-2-3) now await word of a possible NCAA Tournament berth, which will be announced next week.

 

                PC got on the board first in the 12th minute when Joyce headed a shot to the far post on a 15-yard crossing pass from Christy Howard.  For Joyce, it was her ninth goal of the season.

 

                Tusculum dominated ball control as the Pioneers out-shot the Blue Hose by a 20-6 margin, including 15-3 in the second half.  Sinkular played stellar as she accounted for 11 saves, including nine stops in the final 45 minutes.

 

                With five minutes remaining in the match, TC looked to have knocked home the equalizer when Kelly Barron headed a cross from the side, but the play was whistled off-sides, negating the tying goal.

 

                Sinkular went the distance to post her four shutout of the season, while Tusculum's Whitney Wardrop allowed one goal and recorded a save in the loss.  For Wardrop, it was only the ninth goal she has given up this season.

 

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