DALTON, Ga. – Dalton State women's soccer made program history on Friday, earning its first-ever victory over No. 18 Tennessee Southern with a 2-0 shutout at Dalton Stadium. Amy Wearing and Carol Anne Giannamore-Strickland supplied the goals, while goalkeeper Maggie Rickerd anchored a determined defensive effort with 11 saves as the Lady Roadrunners handed UTS its first conference loss of the season.
FIRST HALF
Tennessee Southern generated the first scoring opportunity in the sixth minute, but Rickerd stopped Luella Cramer's attempt to keep the match scoreless. The Firehawks continued to apply pressure, but the Dalton State defense blocked several shots before the Lady Roadrunners earned an opportunity from the penalty spot. Wearing converted the penalty kick in the 25th minute to give Dalton State a 1-0 advantage.
UTS pushed for an equalizer during the closing stages of the half, recording multiple attempts over the final 20 minutes. Rickerd remained composed in goal, making five additional saves to preserve the lead. She stopped shots from Ebony Wright, Kamilia Tayebi, Ashanti Lewis, Cramer and Courtney Hicks as Dalton State carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
SECOND HALF
Tennessee Southern opened the second half on the attack, forcing a team save in the 48th minute before Rickerd denied Cramer and Hicks in quick succession. Dalton State weathered the early pressure and doubled its lead in the 54th minute when Giannamore-Strickland found the back of the net on an assist from Marissa Gonzalez to make it 2-0.
The Firehawks continued to press, but the Lady Roadrunners refused to surrender their advantage. Rickerd added four more saves over the remainder of the match, while the Dalton State defense blocked multiple attempts. UTS came closest to scoring in the 84th minute when Tayebi struck the crossbar, but the rebound sequence produced no goal. Dalton State saw out the final minutes to complete the shutout and secure its first win in program history over Tennessee Southern.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Final score: Dalton State (Ga.) 2, #18 UT Southern (Tenn.) 0
- Records: Dalton State (Ga.) 8-4-5 overall, 6-4-2 SSAC, UT Southern (Tenn.) 13-1-1 overall, 11-1-0 SSAC
- 2: Goals scored by Dalton State, with Wearing and Giannamore-Strickland each finding the net.
- 11: Saves recorded by Rickerd during the complete-game shutout. Dalton State also registered one team save.
- 27-8: Tennessee Southern's advantage in total shots.
- 12-4: UTS held the advantage in shots on goal.
- 8-2: Tennessee Southern's advantage in corner kicks.
- 1: The victory marked Dalton State's first win over Tennessee Southern in program history
UP NEXT
(RV) Dalton State will be on a road swing with a long gap for rest that starts on Thursday, October 1 when the Roadrunners travel to Cuthbert to take on conference newcomer, Andrew (Ga.). Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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