Jacksonville, AL – Sunday’s 3-0 victory at Jacksonville State was just what the doctor ordered for Austin Peay State University’s women’s soccer team. The Lady Govs back their offensive onslaught with some sterling defensive play to knock off the Gamecocks and get back in the win column with one match left on the schedule.
“I’m very proud of the team,” said head coach Kelley Guth. “We really focused on our organization and commitment to defending this week and the girls did a great job.”
Austin Peay owned the first half of play with an offensive array that looked every bit the dynamic offense fans have come to expect from the Lady Govs. Austin Peay outshot Jacksonville State (4-13-2, 0-9-1 OVC) 10-2 in the first half, with a 5-1 shots on goal differential.
Freshman Gina Fabbro netted the Lady Govs first goal on the afternoon. The Coquitlam, British Columbia native took a feed from senior Morgan Zigelsky from around 10 yards out, going low and to the right to give Austin Peay a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute – it would be the only goal the Lady Govs would score in the first half.
The assist was a milestone for Zigelsky – it was the ninth career assist for the transfer from Mississippi, which tied her with Erin Mitchell (2002-04) for fifth on the career charts, and gave her 22 career points, tied with Adonia Bivins (2003-06) for 10th all-time.
Fabbro would assist on senior Tatiana Ariza’s tally in the 64th minute. Ariza beat the keeper one-on-one to the right corner for her season’s 14th goal. She’s now two goals away from equaling her 2011 school-record campaign of 16 goals.
Senior Andy Quiceno capped the scoring with an unassisted tally in the 72nd minute. She lofted a 25-yard shot from the left side, over the head of keeper Cate Eden for the goal, her season’s fifth.
Sophomore keeper Nikki Filippone made four saves for the shutout, her third clean sheet of the campaign. Eden was saddled with the loss despite making four saves.
“We’re focused and determined to keep pushing forward,” Guth said. “Next weekend will be the most important of our season.”
Austin Peay concludes the season with a 1:00pm (CT), Sunday, Nov. 3rd match at Murray State.
