APSU Soccer beats UAB 2-1 to give coach Kelley Guth 100th Career Win

APSU Sports Information

Birmingham, AL – Austin Peay State University women’s soccer head coach Kelley Guth earned her 100th career win Friday night with a 2-1 victory over UAB in the 2016 regular season opener.

Guth becomes the second active coach in the Ohio Valley Conference to reach the century mark for her career – the other being Southeast Missouri’s Heather Nelson. The win comes after leading the program since its inception in 2002.

Senior Nicole Wojcik bagged the season’s first goal in the 22nd minute, with senior Gina Fabbro and Pamela Penaloza assisting on the play. Fabbro played a ball out to Penaloza, who then shrugged off defenders to find Wojcik darting forward for a one-timer past the keeper. Wojcik has now scored three career goals against the Blazers after tallying two in last season’s meeting.

In the 32nd minute, UAB answered back, courtesy of two substitutes, after earning a corner kick. Caroline Keherer lofted a ball inside the box, and Katherine Foster was there to tap it in to level the score at 1-1.

Before the halftime whistle, junior Kirstin Robertson asserted herself in the attacking third for her first goal of 2016. After taking two early shots, she made her third time a charm after maneuvering through traffic and hitting a low shot.

In the second half, the Govs withstood an aggressive UAB team by maintaining their defensive shape. After junior Lindsey Todd started in goal to begin the contest, freshman Mary Parker Powell played the final 45 minutes, and made two clutch saves. Todd was awarded the win having been in the lead before being subbed off.

“I was very pleased with our work ethic tonight,” Guth said. “In the first half, I thought our possession was very good, and we controlled the game. I thought the girls were very resilient in the second half. We played a couple different systems tonight, and I think they’re starting to show signs of a mature group that can handle adversity and pressure.”

Robertson led Austin Peay in shots with four, while Wojcik and sophomore Jennifer Smith each recorded two. Two players – senior Mary Ruth Locastro and freshman Renee Semaan – played the full 90 minutes.

The Governors continue their Alabama road trip with a 1:00pm, Sunday match at Alabama State.

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