GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Lillie Rusher scored directly off a corner kick early in the second half to give Catawba College a 1-0 victory over Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference women’s soccer Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Field.
The 19th-ranked Indians (7-1-3, 5-0-1 SAC) outshot the Pioneers (2-7-1, 0-4-1 SAC) by a 22-1 margin, but rang two shots off the crossbar. Tusculum keeper Angel Chase finished with seven saves for the Pioneers.
Catawba had the first scoring chance in the 12th minute, but an attempt by Lauren Darbo was pulled in by Chase. Kylie Morin nearly gave the Indians the lead in the 29th minute, but her blast from 25 yards caromed off the crossbar. Rusher took a pass 15 yards out with just under 90 seconds left in the half, but shot high of the target.
Early in the second half, a shot by Ali Skinner hit the crossbar, and Chase was able to stop a second try from Alexah Fite. Moments later, a cross to Bree Ehmer was headed toward the far post, but cleared off the line by Tusculum’s Marja Enste.
Catawba earned a corner kick about 4 1/2 minutes into the second half, and Rusher converted directly for her third goal of the season at 50:01.
The Indians kept the pressure to try and find a second goal, but Chase made saves on Morgan Delair in the 57th minute and Morin in the 63rd minute. Tusculum’s lone shot attempt was from Addison Rishling in the 68th minute, but went high of the goal.
Chase collected three more saves in the final 20 minutes, stopping Ehmer in the 72nd minute before making two saves on Callie Hammond, including a diving stop to her right in the 77th minute and a kneeling stop in the 82nd minute.
Catawba had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks over Tusculum, while the Pioneers were called for nine fouls to seven for the Indians. Catawba was flagged four times for offsides and Tusculum was called once.
Ashley Hughes played all 90 minutes in goal for Catawba and did not face a shot on goal, earning her fifth shutout of the season in 10 matches.
The Pioneers will be on the road for four straight matches, starting Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Emory & Henry beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Wasps (5-4-1, 2-3-0 SAC) are 3-1-1 at home this season, including SAC victories over Anderson and Carson-Newman.
