Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Senior Morgan Brush scored the opening goal of the game in Barton College's upset bid against No. 9 NSCAA/Continental Tire Southeast Region ranked Lees-McRae College but a pair of second half tallies rallied the Bobcats to a 3-1 Conference Carolinas women's soccer victory on Saturday night.
Lees-McRae held a dominating 21-2 shot surplus but a strong defensive effort by the Lady Bulldogs including nine saves by sophomore goalkeeper Carson Moore kept the visitors from taking the lead until the 62nd minute.
The Bobcats improved to 9-5-1 overall and 8-1-0 in the league on the strength of goals by sophomore Meagan Thornton, junior Kaitlyn Kerrigan and freshman Erica Allen. Lees-McRae clinched a home playoff game in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Conference Carolinas Tournament with the win.
Barton slipped to 4-10-0 and 3-8-0 in its league finale. The Lady Bulldogs were eliminated from postseason consideration with the loss.
After Barton's back line played 40-plus minutes of stingy defense without allowing a goal, Brush netted the Lady Bulldogs go-ahead goal at the 42:51 mark on a long free kick. Junior Taylor Parrish was fouled on the left flank in the 43rd minute that set up the free kick that Brush booted in from 35-yards out over Lees-McRae starting goalie Kaitlyn Briggs.
Moore rejected the Bobcats first six shots on goal but a strike by Thornton with just 21 seconds left in the first half deadlocked the score at 1-all before halftime. Thornton won possession of the ball on the right side of the 18-yard box and took a shot just inside the near post. Moore was able to get a hand on the ball in her diving attempt at the save but the ball deflected in off her arm.
Barton nearly regained the lead in the 52nd minute when senior Sara Treadwell made a cross pass that was targeted for a cutting sophomore Breanna Briggs near the left post but LMC junior backup goalie Alicia Pierson was able to bypass the serve just before the ball was to be kicked by Briggs.
Lees-McRae looked to take the lead just moments later as freshman Sarah Mahar stuffed a breakaway into the back of Barton's goal but she was whistled offsides.
Kerrigan put the Bobcats in front at the 61:25 mark with a 30-yard high shot by Kerrigan. Reigning Conference Carolinas Player of the Week Ally Titsworth and freshman Mallory Overholt were awarded the double-assist on the game-winner. An insurance goal by Allen just a little of three minutes later gave Lees-McRae some control or the last 25 minutes. Allen's shot went off the crossbar but the ball fell down and off the back of Morgan and across the goal line. Overholt garnered her second helper on the play.
Pierson was credited with the win in goal after taking over at halftime without facing a shot on goal.
Barton next hosts non-conference Palm Beach Atlantic University on Thursday at 7 p.m. The contest will serve as a Breast Cancer Awareness game for the Lady Bulldogs.
