Women’s varsity soccer traveled to Walesk, Ga. yesterday to compete against Columbia College in the semifinal  game of the AAC Conference Tournament and lost, 1-0, ending their season with a record of 4-14-2

[Photos courtesy of Dave Houghton]

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The Lady Lions celebrate their 2-1 shoot out victory against the Bulldogs this past Saturday, Nov. 5./Photo courtesy of Dave Houghton

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Reporter

What’s exciting about post-season play is that it presents opportunities for Cinderella stories. By just winning a few games in a row, the underdog can come up big and have a shot at the title.

One of those stories is unfolding for the Bryan College women’s soccer team (4-13-2). The seventh seeded Lions eliminated second seeded Tennessee Wesleyan College (9-8-2) last Saturday in the first round of the AAC tournament and advanced to the final four, where they will face sixth seeded Columbia College (8-6-5) in the semifinal game Thursday afternoon.

The Lions went into Saturday’s match as the designated underdogs and performed accordingly. Tennessee Wesleyan dominated the game while Bryan sat deep, and it took the Lady Bulldogs no longer than 12 minutes to take the lead. Forward Jordan Hendrix beat sophomore Bryan keeper Stephanie Gagnon with a shot from inside the box.

Wesleyan’s one-way soccer continued throughout the game and it was yet again thanks to Gagnon that Bryan stayed in the game. The keeper recorded 14 saves and allowed for only one more of the 30 shots the Bulldogs fired at her goal to cross the line. Forward Abby Fannin scored four minutes into the second period.

On the other end of the pitch Bryan proved to be very effective. The Lions leveled the score with two goals from senior midfielder Carli Brown within 70 seconds in the 56th and 57th minute. Brown was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week for this clutch performance.

“I didn’t how we were going to make it through, but I never thought we were going to lose,” said Gagnon. She said that she told her players to push through and keep the score even for the remainder of the game. “I said to them: hold this to penalty kicks and we will win, trust me,” she said.

The Lions fulfilled their keepers’ commands and made it to penalties after two scoreless periods of overtime. In the shootout Gagnon topped her performance with four saves. Bryan scored twice as Brown and freshman defender Alexis Denne converted their shots. The upset was there.

Gagnon said that in Saturday’s game, heart and determination made the difference. Surely the same will be crucial in the matchup with the Fighting Koalas of Columbia College. In the regular season the Lions were defeated 1-0, but Thursday is going to be a different story, according to senior forward Liz Ponto.

“Our team is on a high; we are very confident and believe in ourselves,” she said. Ponto added that changes in the line-up also work to the Lion’s advantage because they leave Brown with more freedom offensively to give Bryan more penetrating power in the offensive third. The effect is obvious, as Brown has scored four goals in the last two games.

Against Columbia, the Lions are still missing long-term casualties senior Lauren Bowling, sophomore Hannah Farlett and freshman Morgan Thompson, but apart from that they can draw on unlimited resources and are eager to continue their two-game winning streak.

“If we show up and walk off the field with nothing left in us, we can win the tournament,” said Gagnon. “If we get beat, it’s because of our own mistakes, because we beat ourselves. There is no team in the conference that I’m afraid of.”

Gagnon, who was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Week for her performance, will lead her team on the field against Columbia at noon Thursday in Waleska (Ga.), where the tournament is hosted by Reinhardt University. If her teammates suit the action to her words, a shot at the title is within reach and the Cinderella story will continue.

The Bryan College’s women soccer team (4-13-1, 1-6, in AAC) goes into post-season play with a boost of confidence. In their last home game of the season on Saturday, the Lions swept away Bluefield (Va.) College (2-15-1, 0-6-1 in AAC) with a 5-0 win, ending their 11-game losing streak.

“We played well, with a lot of emotion and energy,” said Coach Mark Sauve, explaining his team’s comeback. “We wanted to send the seniors off with a win.”

The 7th rank in AAC standings was on the line in the match-up between the two bottom clubs of the conference, so both teams played for avoiding No.1 seed Reinhardt University in the opening round of the playoffs. Originally scheduled for Friday night, the match got delayed to noon on Saturday due to wet field conditions.

The Lions showed a lot of improvement after Tuesday’s 4-0 home loss against Maryville (Tenn.) University. In the beginning phase of the match, however, the game was played on even terms, but with one major difference: while Bluefield’s chances were foiled by Bryan keeper Stephanie Gagnon between Bryan’s sticks, the Lions were very effective in front of Bluefield’s goal. Although forward Liz Ponto’s shot from the edge of the six yard box 12 minutes into the game only rattled the crossbar, the rebound by freshman striker Ashley Sisk found the back of the net and Bryan had the early lead.

With fresh confidence the Lions took over control of the game and possessed the ball with composure and purpose. Nine minutes after the first goal, senior midfielder Carli Brown scored Bryan’s second off an assist from fellow senior Ponto. The Lions went into halftime with a comfortable advantage.

Coach Sauve had made some adjustments to his system prior to the game in order to “maximize each players potential,” he said. It worked out well.

Bryan continued its dominant play in the second period. Sisk scored again twelve minutes into the half, and Brown, one of three seniors in Bryan’s line-up who had their last home appearance for the Lions, added another goal in the 70th minute to make it 4-0. Nine minutes before the final whistle, Sisk completed her hat trick as she scored off an assist from freshman Lindsey Kostner.

With the victory, the Lions overtake Bluefield in the table and will travel to Chattanooga (Tenn.), taking on rival Tennessee Wesleyan in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. During the regular season Bryan lost to the Bulldogs with 3-1 but Sauve is optimistic nevertheless.

“I believe we have good chance to go over there and beat them,” he said.

The coach said that he believes his team has the best keeper in the conference and the necessary speed and potential up front to score goals.

“Combining those two areas […] we have a good chance,” he said.

Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Saturday.

The Bryan College’s women soccer team (3-10-1, 0-5 in AAC) can’t put an end to its barren spell. The Lions came close to a tie with conference leaders Reinhardt University (Waleska, Ga.) Eagles (9-2-2, 5-0 in AAC), but suffered their eighth consecutive loss as they fell by a final score of 1-0.

The Eagles went into the match as the odds-on favorite. While Reinhardt was unbeaten in conference play, the Lions were still waiting for their first points in the AAC this season. The game started out as expected, with Reinhardt pulling the strings. In the first five minutes, Bryan keeper Stephanie Gagnon already had to come up with two saves after shots by Reinhardt midfielders Heather Sherman and Elizabeth Waite.

It took the Lions thirty minutes to put their first shot on frame, but senior forward Liz Ponto’s effort was denied by Reinhardt goalkeeper Kaleigh Clarke. Overall Bryan was outshot 26-5 by the Eagles; Gagnon came up with 16 saves.

In the second half the game continued to be played in one direction: the Lions’ goal. Bryan, however, was able to get free from Reinhardt’s pressure occasionally. Freshman striker Ashley Sisk broke free after a Ponto-corner kick in the 56^th minute but her shot went wide; another shot by freshman midfielder Lindsey Kostner two minutes later couldn’t beat Clarke.

The decider came in the 69^th minute, when Reinhardt midfielder Krista Barrikos found Amatulli on the edge of the box. The conference’s leading scorer placed the ball in the left upper-ninety, where it hit the back post and bounced into the back of the net. The Lions fought to rebound but failed to create anything compelling.

Bryan has two games left in the AAC, one of those at home against seventh-placed Bluefield (Va.) College. It will be the last conference home game of the season because the fourth place that would qualify to host the opening round of the tournament is beyond reach.

The Lions are on the road this weekend as they travel to Freed-Hardeman University (Henderson, Tenn.) for a non-conference match.

Triangle photo by Maddie K. Doucet

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer

The Bryan College’s women soccer team (3-8-1, 0-4 in AAC) defended tooth and nail Wednesday night against Union College (Barbourville, Ky.). In the end, however, they left the field empty handed, losing 1-0 to the Lady Bulldogs (7-4, 2-2 in AAC).

In the first half, the Lions looked like the better side, while both teams were able to create a good number of scoring opportunities. Early in game, the Bulldogs had good looks on goal but Bryan-keeper Stephanie Gagnon, who came up with outstanding 12 saves for the game, had answers to shots from Union strikers Helen Weber and Sofie Jorgensen in the 4^th and 6^th minute.

The best chance of the half however, was on the Lion’s behalf. 22 minutes into the game senior forward Liz Ponto crossed the ball to fellow forward Ashley Sisk, but the freshman was unable to beat the Bulldogs keeper Stephanie Burton from short distance.

The second half was then dominated by the visitors, who outshot Bryan 11-2 in the second period. Bryan’s defense, backed up by Gagnon, gave Union a hard fight. Although the Bulldogs fired shot after shot it looked as if the Lions could avoid defeat – up until the stroke of full time.

A pass by Union midfielder Stephanie Cagle in the 84^th minute cut through the Bryan back four like a knife through butter and released Weber on the right side of the box. Weber’s clinical finish left Gagnon ball watching as the shot hit the bottom left corner.

But as if the players wanted to save the best for last, Bryan wasn’t going to accept the defeat just yet. With 50 seconds left in the game Ponto broke free and found herself in a one on one with Burton, but the Union-keeper stood up to Ponto’s shot and the game was over.

“It was a frustrating loss but although we’re not winning we keep gaining confidence,” said Ponto after the game, specifically praising her team’s efforts in the first half and the improved passing game.

Ponto added that working hard is what the team does best, so they will keep up the hard work because “it’s not the end of the season yet,” she said.

The Lions have occasion to gain laurels from their hard work this Saturday when they face Georgetown (Ky.) College on the road. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Senior forward Liz Pono manuvers the ball around a Trojan in Wednesday night's game / Triangle photo by Derek Batt

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer

After ninety hard fought minutes at Bryan College on Wednesday night, the Lady Lions (3-2-1) knew to whom their thanks was due. Yet again, sophomore keeper Stephanie Gagnon presented her excellent form and saved her team three important points, securing a 2-0 win against Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University (2-2-2) and coming up with 18 saves throughout the course of the game.

“Tonight was a big win for us,” said Coach Mark Sauve after the match. “We did what we had to do, and we have a good goalkeeper, who earned the win for us.”

After the crushing 5-0 defeat against Bethel (Tenn.) (3-2-0) University on Saturday, Sauve made two changes to his squad. Senior Shannon McGowan started at right back and freshman striker Ashley Sisk got back in the team, so that senior Liz Ponto dropped out wide instead of playing up front.

In a slow paced game, the visiting Trojans took control from the start, keeping the Lions in their own half. Trevecca’s combination play resulted in some good chances early on, but Gagnon was always on the spot.

However, the Bryan defense showed a lot of improvement compared to Saturday’s loss against Bethel and managed to keep the Trojans’ offensive efforts away from the danger zone for most of the game. Accordingly, Trevecca’s chances were limited to solo runs. In the 40^th minute forward Brittany Wilkerson dribbled past the Lions’ defense and tested Gagnon with a shot from 10 yards out but the Bryan keeper tipped the deflected shot over the crossbar.

Here and there, the Lions temporizing playing style opened up room for counter attacks, and it was one of those that led to success in the 42^nd minute. Senior midfielder Carli Brown played in Ponto, who was tackled inside the box by keeper Bekah Headrick. Brown converted the penalty and Bryan finished the first half leading 1-0.

In the second period, the Lions sat even deeper in their own half trying to hold on to the lead. The Trojans pressured early and created several chances but Gagnon drove them to despair, coming up with one save after another.

“Bryan was well organized and their goalkeeper made the difference tonight,” said Trevecca’s assistant coach Mark Foster after the game. “Towards the end we ran out of ideas and played with hope rather than belief in our own strength.”

And if you don’t score, you’ll get punished; Wednesday night was no exception to this soccer-rule of thumb. In the 88^th minute Ponto picked up a pass by freshman Lindsey Kostner and placed the ball in the bottom left corner from 20 yards out, giving Headrick no chance and rewarding her team’s battle.

Everybody in red and white was relieved about the win and the Lady Lions’ comeback, Sauve included.  But the coach already thought about the tasks ahead: “Our team this year is very young and still in the learning process. We have to play stronger and more aggressive on defense, and faster offensively,” Sauve said, pointing out room for improvement.

The Lady Lions will start conference play Saturday at Montreat (N. Car.) College (2 p.m. E.T.) and will be on the road, facing conference-rival Tennessee Wesleyan College four days later. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

[Triangle photos by Derek Batt & Cat Rogers]

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Junior midfielder Kaitlyn Bryant keeps the ball from a Bethel University player in Saturday's game / Triangle photo by Derek Batt

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer

The Bryan College women’s soccer team (2-2-1) hosted an invitational last weekend, earning one point from two matches.

The Lady Lions played Cedarville (Ohio) University on Friday and Bethel (Tenn.) University (3-0) on Saturday. Bryan remained scoreless in both games getting away with a 0-0 tie against the Cedarville Yellow Jackets, but accepting a painful 5-0 defeat against the Bethel Wildcats.

Lions’ keeper Stephanie Gagnon was in the spotlight during Friday night’s matchup as the sophomore saved all 10 shots on goal and rescued a lucky draw for Head Coach Michael Sauve’s squad. The Yellow Jackets dominated the game, outshooting the Lady Lions by 23-2.

“Friday was a Stephanie Gagnon show,” said senior forward Liz Ponto, praising her keeper’s efforts.

Ponto, who recorded the team’s only two shots on goal, said that a draw with a team as strong as Cedarville is a good result. However she also recognized that her team’s offensive play, starting with the build-up out of the defense, needs improvement.

“We couldn’t get it out of our end and to the feet of our forwards,” said Ponto. “We were just not doing the simple things right.”

Twenty-four hours later against the Wildcats, the Lions’ defensive weaknesses, caused partially by the absence of injured senior defensive anchor Lauren Bowling, would then also find expression on the score board.

From the start of the game, Bethel was the dominant side, opening the scoring two minutes into the game. At halftime, Bryan was already down by three and Bethel added two more in the second period. Over the whole 90 minutes the Lions were outshot 30-8.

In an attempt to explain the Lady Lions performance, junior midfielder Kaitlyn Bryant said that simply every possession was wasted and in return the Lions found themselves “chasing the ball and playing defense for the majority of the game,” Bryant said, adding that her team was lacking shape and structure.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Ponto found encouraging words after the game.

“Our team has a lot of heart and we will be competitive against Trevecca [Nazarene University] on Wednesday,” she said, marking the weekend’s games down as learning experiences.

For the home matchup with the Trojans (7:30 pm E.T.), the Lions will be able to fall back on freshman striker Ashley Sisk, who was out for the weekend. Bowling however will be missed again in Bryan’s back four. The center back has knee problems and is out for an indefinite period.

[Triangle photos by Derek Batt]

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Sophomore keeper Stephanie Gagnon keeps her eyes locked on the ball / Photo courtesy of Chris Leary.

The Bryan College Women’s soccer team got off to a dream start to the 2011 season. After a 2-0 victory at Campbellsville University last Saturday, the Lady Lions won outright in their home opener against the University of the Cumberlands, beating the Patriots by 3-0.

From the start of the game the Lions dominated possession of the ball but lacked precision in front of the goal. Again and again junior playmaker Kaitlyn Bryant was able to find the feet of senior forward Liz Ponto or play in freshman winger Lindsay Kostner to create a total of  eleven chances in the first half.

However it wasn’t until 45 minutes into the game that their efforts were rewarded. Senior Katherine Nelson found Bryant wide open at the edge of the box and, to the joy of the Bryan crowd, Bryant placed the ball right in the upper ninety, leaving Cumberland’s keeper Brittney Gadd ball watching.

Only two minutes in the second half, the speedy Kostner assisted the Lion’s insurance goal. The freshman dribbled down the right flank and crossed the ball to the back post, finding Ponto, who was able to put it away easily. Freshman midfielder Ashley Johnson added the third goal in the 84th minute as she blasted the ball in the net after an assist by Ponto, who had gotten a touch on another cross by Kostner.

The Lions traveled to Wilmore, Ky. on Saturday, falling to the Asbury University Lady Eagles, 3-0.

They play again this weekend in the Bryan College Women’s Soccer Invitational. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. both nights, Friday against Cedarville University and Saturday against Bethel College.

[Gallery photos by Chris Leary]

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The women’s soccer team hosted Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.) on Wednesday, falling short to the Bulldogs 1-0.

Sophomore Katie Byrant takes possession of the ball during Wednesday's match against Cumberland/Triangle photo by Jesse Murray

Cumberland took the lead in the 63rd minute on a goal scored by Helena Dimantas Farias. In what was a closely fought match, both teams recorded eight shots on goal, and Lions’ keeper Stephanie Gagnon, a freshman, recorded seven saves for the match.

This loss puts the Lions’ season record at .500 going into their final regular season home game, which will be Saturday against Milligan (Tenn.) College.

“Yesterdays game was a tough match,” said senior Chelsey Morris, team captain. “I thought we worked really hard, and I definitely think it prepared us a little more for Saturday’s upcoming game… Milligan is currently one of the top teams in the conference, so, I expect a hard match. It is always fun to play them because they always work hard and put up a good battle.”

Lady Lions’ Coach Mark Sauve said, “I thought that we played well; unfortunately we came up on the losing end of a pretty evenly played match… From a coaching perspective I watch for the technical as well as the tactical aspects of the match. We were not impressive with the technical part of the match, only completing 69% of our passes.”

Sauve said that he changed the Lions’ formation on Tuesday, one day before the match, leaving players in positions that they had not played all year. He suggested that despite this, the new formation seemed to work well.

“Although we didn’t score, we created a few opportunities,” said Sauve.

“We are struggling right now,” Sauve said, “but I feel that if we can put all aspects of the game together we could put a little run together in the tournament just like we did last year.”