Sept. 4, 2005

Box Score

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama State women's soccer team has yet to score a goal in four games, including a tough 1-0 loss to Brenau (Ga.) University Sunday afternoon at the Emory Folmar YMCA Complex.

A goal by Dana Garner in the 44th minute was the only score of the game. The Lady Hornets (0-4), though, are putting forth a determined effort in hopes of not only getting their first goal of the season, but the program's first win in its two-year history.

"I think they're feeling some pressure," ASU head coach Kendall Phillips said. "Once we get that first goal, it'll be all right. We've got some players who can finish. It's just in our heads right now."

The loss overshadowed a strong performance in goal by Candise Jacobs, who had seven saves, and the ASU defense, which did a good job of pressuring the Brenau forwards and cutting down on their scoring opportunities.

But Jacobs, a senior who is an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference infielder on the ASU softball team playing only her second soccer game since she was in the seventh grade, was haunted by the one that got away.

"There were so many white jerseys in front of me, I just lost the ball and they scored," Jacobs said. "It's frustrating because we played 90 minutes and that one goal cost us the game."

The Lady Hornets did have a couple of golden opportunities to get in the scoring column.

In the fourth minute, forward Jessica Priest had what appeared to be an open header into the goal but she missed. Midfielder Maiya Moore also had a chance in the 18th minute but Brenau goalie Jenny England made a good save.

The best opportunity came in the 59th minute, when forward Jonella Logan had the ball three feet in front of a wide-open net. Unfortunately, she rushed her shot, which sailed over the crossbar.

Even in defeat, Phillips feels that this team is on the brink of breaking into the victory column.

"The girls are doing a lot better but we've got a long way to go. We still have a lack of bodies and when we have a couple of injuries, there's no one to replace them," Phillips said. "But we're still ahead of our three-year plan. We have a good core, we just need to put a couple more good players around it."