University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Auburn
Women's Soccer Records Sixth Shutout Win In Seven Games
September 28, 2001 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2001
AUBURN, ALA. - The top-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team experienced problems finishing its chances Friday night for the first time since its season opener but Coach Anson Dorrance's Tar Heels remained undefeated with a 2-0 win over Auburn before a largest crowd to ever watch a game at the Auburn University Soccer Complex.
Carolina, which had been scoring goals at an amazing clip over the previous five games, was held in check by Auburn most of the night as the Tar Heels could tally only twice on 23 shots. Megan Rivera made eight saves in the goal for the Tigers and Auburn defenders made back saves on three other shots which otherwise would have resulted in Carolina goals.
Auburn almost held the Tar Heels scoreless in the first half but the opportunistic Tar Heels scored with just 24 seconds left in the half to change the complexion of the game. Senior midfielder Jena Kluegel tallied what would become the eventual game-winner with fellow senior and fellow Hermann Trophy finalist Danielle Borgman providing the assist. It was Kluegel's fourth goal of the season, all in the last three games, and the third assist of the year from Borgman.
While UNC was having trouble lighting up the scoreboard the way it likes the Tar Heel defense returned to its awesome self as it recorded its sixth shutout of the season in seven games. UNC limited the Tigers to two shots on the night, one in each half. Carolina ended up with an insurance goal with 7:56 left in the game as Tar Heel scoring leader Alyssa Ramsey scored her seventh goal of the season. Both junior striker Susan Bush and freshman striker Anne Morrell recorded their fifth assists of the season on Ramsey's goal.
For the second successive game UNC played before a stadium record crowd. On Wednesday night, the Tar Heels defeated #18 Tennessee 5-2 before a record crowd of 3,042 at the Tennessee Soccer Complex. Friday night's game was played before a record crowd of 2,523 at the Auburn University Soccer Complex.
Carolina's two-goal output was its fewest since the season opener at #20 Texas on August 31 when the Heels defeated the Longhorns 1-0 despite outshooting UT 21-9. Friday's game was almost a carbon copy with UNC winning 2-0 while outshooting Auburn 23-2. Carolina had scored 29 goals in the five wins after the Texas contest and prior to Friday's game. Friday's game was in stark contrast to Wednesday's game at Tennessee when UNC outshot the Lady Volunteers only 15-12 but finished its chances well in a 5-2 win. Those two goals were the only scored against Carolina this year.
The Tar Heels are now 3-0 against Southeastern Conference teams this year with a 9-0 win over Georgia, a 5-2 win at Tennessee and a 2-0 win at Auburn.
Carolina will play the fifth game in a seven-game road trip on Sunday when the Heels play at UAB at 2 p.m. C.D.T. The game will be played in the hometown of UNC starting defender Catherine Reddick. It will be UNC's next-to-last regular season game against a non-conference opponent. The only other remaining game is at Ohio State on November 3.
Following the UAB game, UNC will play seven successive Atlantic Coast Conference games, including four at Fetzer Field. The first two will be on the road, however, as Carolina plays at Duke next Tuesday at 7 p.m. and at Maryland next Friday at 7 p.m.
SCORING BY HALVES
#1 NORTH CAROLINA 1 1--2
AUBURN 0 0--0
Scoring Summary:
44:36--UNC--Jena Kluegel (Danielle Borgman), 82:04--UNC--Alyssa Ramsey (Susan Bush, Anne Morrell).Shots: UNC 23, Auburn 2
Corner Kicks: UNC 8, Auburn 1
Goalkeeper Statistics: Jenni Branam (North Carolina), 45 minutes, 1 save, 0 goals allowed, Kristin DePlatchett (North Carolina), 45 minutes, 1 save,0 goals allowed, Megan Rivera (Auburn), 90 minutes, 8 saves, 2 goals allowed
Back Saves: Auburn 3
Yellow Cards: Maggie Tomecka (UNC), 26:10, Elizabeth Ball (UNC), 87:26
Fouls: UNC 13, Auburn 9
Offside Violations: UNC 3, Auburn 1
Starting Lineups: North Carolina--Jenni Branam, Maggie Tomecka, Jena Kluegel, Sara Randolph, Anne Remy, Alyssa Ramsey, Jordan Walker, Leslie Gaston, Danielle Borgman, Catherine Reddick, Anne Morrell, Auburn--Megan Rivera, Kellie Evans, Megan Stam, Jennifer Walters, Tammy Waine, Sandra Carnes, Ginger Sellick, Gretchen Winter, Erin Hinson, Sara Power, Christine Culver.
Substitutes: North Carolina--Kristin DePlatchett, Amy Whittier, Anne Felts, Elizabeth Ball, Susan Bush, Mary McDowell, Carmen Watley, Auburn--Erika Schansberg, Sarah Steinmann, Niki Schier, Carly Thomas.
Officials: Corey Rockwell (Referee), Steven Simpkins (Assistant Referee), Steve Buchthal (Assistant Referee), Ian Glasco (Alternate Official)
Attendance: 2,523
Team Records: North Carolina 7-0-0, Auburn 4-2-1
