CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte women's soccer team dropped tonight's Conference Carolinas Tournament game 1-0 to the Pfeiffer University Falcons. The Royals battled in the semifinal round game to even the score but came up short as Pfeiffer held on to their lead for nearly 80 minutes of play.
The Falcons got on the scoreboard early in the first half scoring in the 11th minute. After a corner kick taken by Alyssa Wombwell, Pfeiffer turned on their offensive pressure. Sara McCormack possessed the ball off of a rebound and ripped it in to the net from 25 yards out making the score 1-0.
Queens made a few runs after the goal, but had a hard time keeping possession. At around the 30 minute mark, Kristen Wright (Salisbury, Md., Parkside) fed a great ball to Brooke Foil (Knightdale, N.C., Knightdale) for a shot that was stopped by the Falcons' keeper.
The half ended pretty even across the board with Queens leading in shots five-to-four. Both keepers had two saves and the foul count was even at three per team.
The second half opened with much physical play from both teams who were on a mission to get to the championship game against Belmont Abbey College. The Crusaders had earned their spot in the finals earlier in the day after squeezing past Lees-McRae College 3-2.
Neither defense would let up in the second half as Queens tried to get on the board and Pfeiffer tried to stretch their lead. Both keepers battled to get stops for any balls that made it through leading to a deadlocked half.
Wright took the final shot for the Royals with close to 10 minutes left on the clock. After a long serve in to the box, Wright headed a ball to herself and then volleyed it right at the Falcons' keeper who made the save.
Soon after, Queen's keeper, Megan Hirschy (Fort Wayne, Ind., Shattuck-St.Mary's School), made a save of her own right in front of the net to keep the game at 1-0.
The Royals took nine total shots to Pfeiffer's eight and held the Falcons to one corner kick to their six. Michelle Landry (Atlanta, Ga., Druid Hills )and Hirschy ended the game with a combined four saves while Amanda Wemple of the Falcons made three stops.
Tonight's loss wraps up the Royals 2010 campaign with an overall record of 10-8 (8-2 CC). Earlier in the day, five Royals were named to the 2010 Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams. Lauren Vawter was named to the 2010 All-Tournament Team.
