GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Lilah Kim scored the winning goal with just under eight minutes remaining to give Carson-Newman University a 1-0 victory over Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference women’s soccer Wednesday evening at Pioneer Field.
The Eagles (6-3-3, 3-2-1 SAC) outshot the Pioneers (2-9-0, 2-4-0 SAC) by an 11-6 margin, but needed the goal from Kim to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches (two wins, three draws). Amber Wilkinson had two saves in goal for Carson-Newman to secure her first shutout of the season.
Tusculum had the only shot on goal in the first half, which came from Addison Rishling in the 15th minute. Carme Escamilla had perhaps the best chance of the half for the Pioneers in the 29th minute, but her header went just wide of the near post.
Rishling would put the other shot on goal for the Pioneers in the 57th minute, but her header was scooped up on a bounce by Wilkinson. Gabby Stone had a free kick in the 73rd minute from 25 yards but her attempt went over the crossbar.
Carson-Newman got the winner at 82:07 as she won a 50-50 ball at the top of the box, and played around the challenge from Tusculum keeper Julia Olsson to deposit her first goal of the season.
Olsson would make back-to-back saves in the 84th minute on shot attempts from the Eagles’ Sifa Morgan and Lilah Kim to keep the Pioneers within range, but the Pioneers would not have another shot attempt in the match. Olsson finished the evening with three saves for the Pioneers.
The Eagles had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks over the Pioneers, and were called for 11 fouls to nine for Tusculum. The Pioneers were flagged four times for offsides and Carson-Newman was caught twice.
The Pioneers are on the road to face Wingate on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs are 3-5-3 overall and 1-2-1 in the SAC following a 5-1 loss to nationally-ranked Catawba last Saturday.
