Lady Eagles claim SAC title with 1-0 victory
Nov. 1, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. - The Lady Eagles defeated Newberry in a conference match-up this evening 1-0. With this conference win Carson-Newman improves to 13-5, 7-1 in the South Atlantic Conference is named the SAC regular season champions. Newberry falls to 8-8-1, 4-4 in conference play.
Carson-Newman and Newberry came into the game both with a strong force. The first half was scoreless and both teams possessed the ball with lots of offensive pressure. Carson-Newman outshot Newberry 8-2 in the first half.
"The first half was possibly the best forty-five minutes that we have played this season," said head coach Phil McNamara, "I simply told the girls that we needed the same thing in the second half and the goal would come. I thought the girls showed a lot of grit and determination just like they have all season."
In the 55th minute of the game, senior Brittany Moore (Lenoir City, Tenn.) placed the ball into the left hand corner of the net from a cross served by sophomore Morgan Gruenenfelder (Sweetwater, Tenn.).
The remainder of the game was a battle between the two conference teams. Carson-Newman outshot Newberry 7-6 in the second half, creating an equal playing field.
"This is the best regular season win in my time here at Carson-Newman, it is extremely gratifying especially for the four seniors," said head coach Phil McNamara, "I am extremely happy with the win against a strong opponent. I would like to thank assistant coach Wayne Harvey and graduate assistant Leslie Marcouiller for their organization and outstanding efforts on the year. Also, a big thank you to Bryan McCarter for his dedication in announcing all of our matches."
The Carson-Newman soccer teams honored the memory of Roland File Saturday evening with the dedication of the new field lighting prior to the regular-season finale doubleheader with South Atlantic Conference foe Newberry.
Roland was a member of the men's soccer team during the 2006-07 season before a tragic car accident took his life in February. His parents, Donna and Steve File, were in attendance Saturday as a plaque memorializing Roland was unveiled at the base of one of the four tower lights that were installed earlier this year.
The Files started the funding campaign for the lighting system soon after their son's death. Carson-Newman had never been able to host a night soccer game prior to this season, due to the absence of lights at McCown soccer field, and it was a well-know wish of Roland's to see the addition during his career.
Carson-Newman will be back in action Tuesday on McCown Field as they take on Mars Hill College in the first round of the South Atlantic Conference Tournament. The time of the game will be determined Sunday.
