CNU Advances to Ninth Straight USA South Championship Game
MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Top-seeded Christopher Newport University advanced to their ninth straight USA South Championship game with a 1-0 victory over fourth-seeded Greensboro College (11-6-1). Junior Dani Gunderson scored the game winner with less than six minutes remaining givinng CNU the narrow victory.
The Captains improve to 11-7-1 overall for the season and will play the winner of the #2 Shenandoah/#3 Averett semifinal matchup. The championshipp game will kick off at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 5 at the Smith River Sports Complex in Martinsville, Va.
Neither team could get going in the first half, as the defenses were in postseason form. There were no shots on-goal in the first 45 minutes and just five shots combined between the two teams.
Both teams picked up the pace in the second half as each team had four shots on-goal. Greensboro's best chance came in the 75th minute when the Captains committed a foul just outside the box on the left side. Junior defender Sarah Hopkins stepped up and drilled a hard shot to the upper ninety far post, but CNU junior goalkeeper Meghan Gumbs ranged to her left and snared it out of the air.
Christopher Newport finally broke through on a similar play on the other end of the field. Gunderson was fouled just outside the box on the left side, setting up a free kick for the Captains. The CNU junior went near post though, with a hard liner that USA South Rookie of the Year Shireen Unvala saw bounce off her hands and into the left pocket. The goal came with just 5:46 remaining on the clock and the Captains held on for the tight 1-0 win.
Gunderson now has five goals and six assists for 16 points on the season, third on the team in scoring. Gumbs collected her third shutout of the year and lowered her goals against average to 1.46 for the season.
Greensboro was led by Meredith Kelly, with two shots on goal and three total attempts. Unvala allowed just the one goal with three saves in the game as the Pride wrapped up the season with a 11-6-1 overall record.
Live stats and a live video webcast will be available of the 2011 USA South Championship game on Saturday at 2:00 pm.
(4) GC 0 0 0 (1) CNU 0 1 1 84:14 CNU Gunderson, Dani (5) unassisted Shots: GC (7), CNU (8) Corner Kicks: GC (5), CNU (3) Saves: GC-Unvala (3); CNU-Gumbs (4)
