Lady Eagles Finishing with a BANG, 8-0 Over Fredericksburg
July 21, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Lady Eagles finished off the 2007 W-League regular seoson with a bang tonight, defeating the Fredericksburg Lady Gunners 8-0. Kelly Schmedes led the way for the Lady Eagles with two goals and three assists. Christy Rife had two goals and two assists, and Nikki Lyons, Carrie Lorenz and Heidi Casey each added a goal in the win.
The Lady Eagles took a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the match. Veteran midfielder Lydia Vandenberg set up the goal with a pass up the middle, through the Fredericksburg defense and onto the run of Nikki Lyons. Lyons had just the keeper to beat, and did so with a nicely placed shot from 14 yards out.
Lady Eagles forward Kelly Schmedes scored two and earned three assists. Photo by Rusty Burroughs
Kelly Schmedes put the Lady Eagles up 2-0 in the 24th minute with a goal coming off the Lady Eagles' cornerkick. Lydia Vandenberg took the kick from the right side, playing it in to Christy Rife at the near post. Rife touched the ball across the goalmouth to Schmedes who poked it into the goal from a yard out.
Kelly Schmedes scored her second goal of the match in the 35th minute. Tina Murphy got the ball and split the defense with a pass forward for Schmedes. Schmedes took a touch forward and then fired a shot from 15 yards out, beating Fredericksburg goalkeeper Aly Pont with a hard shot into the upper right corner.
Just two minutes later the Lady Eagles extended their lead to four goals. Lydia Vandenberg played the ball forward to the right side for Schmedes on the run. Schmedes, pressured by the keeper, passed the ball across the goalmouth for Christy Rife. Rife was all alone in the middle for an easy goal, touching it into the open net.
In the 42nd minute of play, defender Ashley Swinehart scored to put the Lady Eagles up 5-0. The goal was set up by Christy Rife on the right side. Rife served a ball across to the middle, where Swinehart rushed it and finished with a beautiful header in the right side of the goal.
The Lady Eagles scored their final goal of the first half in the 45th minute. Nikki Lyons put a pass forward to the top right corner of the Fredericksburg six yard box. Kelly Schmedes got to the pass just ahead of goalkeeper Pont. Schmedes made a short pass to the middle for Christy Rife, who scored with a shot into the open goal. The first half ended with the Lady Eagles up 6-0.
Lady Eagles midfielder Carrie Lorenz scored the first goal of the second half, and her first of the season in the 54th minute. Lorenz received a pass ad the top right side of the Fredericksburg 18 yard box from Jenny Hammond. Lorenz fired a low shot to the right side from 20 yards out. Pont dove and got her hands on the shot, but it wasn't enough to keep it out of the net.
Heidi (Drummond) Casey put the Lady Eagles up 8-0 in the 60th minute of play. Kelly Schmedes worked down the right side and served the ball across to the far post. Casey was there to score the goal with a header at the top of the six yard box.
The Charlotte Lady Eagles needed a win tonight for any chance at the playoffs. They got their win, but now they rely on the Hampton Roads Piranhas to defeat the Richmond Kickers Destiny on Friday night. If Richmond wins or ties, then Richmond and Atlanta will be the top two teams in the Atlantic Division and will advance to the playoffs. If Richmond loses to Hampton Roads, then the Lady Eagles will beat out Richmond for the second spot.
Charlotte Eagles Soccer... ...it's much more than a game!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 21, 2007
- Eagles Celebrate 15 years with 1-0 Win Over Wilmington - Charlotte Eagles
- Baltimore Stuns Phantoms with 91st Minute Game-Winner - New Hampshire Phantoms
- City Stars Settle For Heartbreaking 1-1 Tie With Richmond Kickers - Cleveland City Stars
- Lady Eagles Finishing with a BANG, 8-0 Over Fredericksburg - Charlotte Eagles
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