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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Nelia Perez
Radford Athletics Communications
0
Tennessee Tech TTU (4-3)
1
Winner Radford RAD (2-3)
Tennessee Tech TTU
(4-3)
0
Final
1
Radford RAD
(2-3)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Tennessee Tech TTU 0 0 0
Radford RAD 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

PEREZ'S GOAL, SOLID DEFENSE LEAD RADFORD TO 1-0 VICTORY



RADFORD, Va. – After suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Tennessee Tech in the final seconds of double overtime last year, the Radford women's soccer was looking to even the score Friday night at Cupp Stadium.
 
The Highlanders accomplished just that, and didn't wait near as long to put the decisive tally on the board. Freshman Nelia Perez scored her first collegiate goal in the 21st minute and the Highlanders' defense held off a late Tennessee Tech push for the 1-nil victory and second straight shutout at home.
 
Jordan Lundin assisted on the goal, her third of the season and 14th of her career. Radford came out strong and controlled possession over the first 30 minutes, with Perez using her speed to generate three of the Highlanders' first four shots. She capitalized when Lundin sent a throughpass toward the right corner of the box. Perez won the race with the Golden Eagles' goalkeeper to the ball, made a move to her right and calmly found the open net from the right flank.
 
Radford held Tennessee Tech to just one shot in the first 35 minutes, before the visitors came on late in the half with four attempts. RU goalkeeper Courtenay Kaplan, though, was solid in making three saves.
 
After a foul-filled start to the second half, neither team could gain much control, although Jasmine Casarez had a couple of opportunities to add to the lead. She had a rocket shot from 35 yards out and a header from 15 yards both go high. Perez had a chance for her second goal as she got around a defender near the endline, but her shot caromed off the near post.
 
The Golden Eagles kept the ball in their attacking half for much of the last 20 minutes but was unable to put any attempt on goal. The Highlander backline – Hannah Duff, Cynthia Brown, Claire Dundon and Emily Dunn - stood firm, not allowing TTU to get in close until a free kick in the 89th minute. Lauren Brewer, who set up the game-winning goal last year, got a head on the ball in the six-yard box this time, but put it just over the crossbar.
 
Radford finished the game with a 13-10 advantage in shots, including 6-3 on goal. Casarez finished with five, while Perez had four. The Highlanders doubled up TTU in corner kicks 6-3. Kaplan had the three saves for her second clean sheet.
 
"Our girls were ready to play," said Radford head coach Ben Sohrabi. "They knew they had some revenge to get and they were very focused. I thought we played a good game tactically and I think this is the first time this year that everybody played with intensity and played clean for 90 minutes. Our back four was solid and Jordan did a good job against their No. 10 (who scored the overtime goal last year)."
 
Radford finishes out the non-conference part of its schedule Sunday when it plays at College of Charleston, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
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