JANSSON SPARKS WOMEN’S SOCCER TO 3-1 VICTORY OVER N.C. STATE
9-17-06
Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth women’s soccer team earned a share of the Nike/Tribe Invitational Championship on Sunday as the Rams notched a 3-1 victory over North Carolina State University. The Black and Gold improve to 4-2-2 on the season as the Wolfpack was dealt its first loss of the season and fall to 5-1-2 on the year.

Sophomore Pernilla Jansson (Stockholm, Sweden/Danderyds Gym) found the back of the net early as she took a feed off a header from fellow classmate Megan Flanagan (Franktown, Colo./Ponderosa), who took a pass from the right side from junior Hayley Moorwood (Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale). Jansson’s goal gave the Rams a 1-0 advantage just 4:41 into the game.

The Wolfpack answered quickly as less than six minutes later Jessica O’Rourke headed a corner kick from Katie Ruiz into the back off the Rams’ net to even the game at 1-1.

The Black and Gold controlled the tempo in the first half as they unleashed 13 shots on N.C. State keeper Megan Connors and held the Wolfpack offense to just two shots on goal.

The sophomore class struck again in the second half for the Rams as Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia/Dartmouth) blasted a shot into the top right corner from 25 yards out to give the Black and Gold a 2-1 advantage in the 54th minute.

Jansson struck again in the 71st minute as she headed a corner kick from senior Leigh Anthony (Fredericksburg, Va./W.T. Woodson (W. Va.)) into the back of the net to give VCU a 3-1 lead.

The Black and Gold defense stifled the powerful Wolfpack offense as they held N.C. State to just six shots in the contest. Junior netminder Lauren Hardison (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) was stellar between the pipes again as she recorded two saves in the contest and has allowed just two goals in her last five games.

The Rams enter CAA play on Friday, September 22nd as they travel to UNC Wilmington to take on the Seahawks in a 7:00 pm contest.