CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Lady Tiger soccer struggled in its opening two games on the offensive end, but Thom Jones' young team came out of its shell on Saturday afternoon. Campbellsville won its first home game of the season, 5-0, over Bryan (Tenn.).
Campbellsville awoke on the offensive end after scoring only five goals in its first two games combined. The Lady Tigers scored one goal in the first half but picked up four second-half goals to rout the Lions in front of a big crowd at Finley Stadium and Citizens Bank Field.
"I love playing at home," said Thom Jones. "The crowd was great today for an 11 a.m. game. Softball, baseball swimming and cross country came out in full force. We love having support like that. It make's a difference because the girls on the team see that."
Taylor Beals gave the Lady Tigers all the momentum late in the first half with only 10.7 seconds on the clock. The freshman from Bowling Green, Ky. rebounded a shot by Rachel Mobley and scored her first career goal putting CU ahead, 1-0.
"The thing is, we were knocking on the door the entire first half," said Jones. "But instead of giving up knowing only 10 seconds was left on the clock, Taylor Beals crashed the goal and capitalized on the great shot by Rachel Mobley. I was very happy with the play from both of those freshman today."
Campbellsville controlled the ball in the first half, allowing only two shots and recording 17 – 10 on goal.
Junior All-American Mhairi Fyfe opened the second half with her first score in the 51st minute and fellow junior Chelsea Gill added on just two minutes later with a header on a corner kick from Erica McWilliams.
With Campbellsville leading 3-0, Fyfe and the Lady Tigers kept the pedal to the floor and she scored her second goal of the day – her 42nd of her career – in the 63rd minute. The multi-goal game is the 12th of Fyfe's career as she is only 11 away from breaking Jessica Ralph's career record of 53.
"She is very strong and becoming more mature which is making her a better player," said Jones. "She knows she isn't going to score every time she has the ball, but she doesn't get frustrated like she used to and lets the game come to her. It was awesome. She does so many good things for us.
"We had a lot of great balls in the box all day and finally capitalized on the fourth-straight corner kick we had. We have to score more than once on 21 corner kicks but overall it was a great play by Chelsea and great ball by Erica."
The excitement of the home crowd came alive with another last-second goal, this time with 11 seconds left. Sophomore Valeska Tovar recorded her first career score and showed the emotion with a big fist pump as her teammates celebrated.
"This was three years coming for Valeska," said Jones. "To be at home with her fans and a big crowd from fellow international students, it was so exciting. She was crying in the locker room after the game because of the emotions and it was even better to see the team rush the field and celebrate with her when the clock ran out. That is the reason I coach - when I see a player that is so full of emotions and excitement."
Campbellsville controlled the entire match, recording 38 shots with 22 on goal. Morgana Hardt da Silva was busy in goal for the Lions, recording a career-high 17 saves.
The Lady Tigers will hit the road next Wednesday, Sept. 2 and travel to Marian University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
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