Murphy Leads Lady Eagles in 6-0 Win
May 15, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Charlotte, NC) The Charlotte Lady Eagles kicked off their 2004 W-League season tonight hosting the Bradenton Athletics. Lady Eagles' veteran forward Tina Murphy led Charlotte to a 6-0 victory to start the season with a bang on a beautiful evening at Waddell Stadium.
Charlotte worked the ball around early in the first half looking to find their groove in their first match together.
"It's good to be back at it. We've had the biggest change in roster this season than any other year, so there' s a huge learning curve to overcome. We have the potential to be a very good team, but have a lot of getting to know one another. We were missing a few players tonight, so I was very please with the outcome, commented Head Coach Lee Horton on the start of the season.
It was the 22nd minute when the first goal of the match came. 2003 W-League leading scorer Carrie Kveton pushed a pass through the Bradenton defense to lead Tina Murphy on the run. Murphy muscled through the advancing goalkeeper, Kati Jo Spisak, and touched the ball into the open net. Eight minutes later veteran forward from Morganton, NC, Christy Timbers, drilled a shot from the top of the 18 yard box. Spisak got a finger on it, deflecting it to the cross bar, but Murphy was there for the follow up to put it in the back of the net. The Lady Eagles were in full control of the match, as the defense held Bradenton to 0 shots in the first half. Charlotte finished the half with 8 shots.
Eight minutes into the second half Christy Timbers continued the scoring. Bradenton cleared the ball out of the box, and Timbers came running on to it at the top of the 18, to fire a shot past Spisak. Just four minutes later, Ashley Swinehart took the the throw in deep in Bradenton territory. Swinehart's flip throw found WUSA star Marci Miller for the header and the near post goal. Tina Murphy earned her hat trick in the 78th minute off the assist from Ashley Swinehart. Tina's far post shot was placed just inside the post. The Lady Eagles wrapped up the scoring in the 82nd minute. Carrie Kveton found the goal from about 25 yards out beating the keeper with a top left corner shot.
The Lady Eagles head to Asheville, for their next match on May 22nd. Lee Horton is expecting a tough match from a quality Asheville side. The Lady Eagles don't return to home field action until June 12th for another doubleheader evening with the Eagles at Waddell Stadium. June 12th is Dunkin Donuts night, so get there early for a free Donut while supplies last. June 12th is also the Fiesta Verano Latin Festival with live music from S.L.A.M. House
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