Soccer Nets Pair of Late Goals to Knock off North Alabama in Season Opener

BOX SCORE

MOREHEAD. Ky. -- It took a little more than 80 minutes, but the Morehead State soccer team finally reaped the benefit of its offensive attack Thursday night and then added a penalty kick goal in the final minute as the Eagles won their 2021 season, and home, opener 2-0 against visiting North Alabama.

The Eagle program won its home opener for the first time since the 2016 season, while it marked the first-ever meeting between the Eagles and Lions.

Junior Abby VanHoeve netted her first career goal at the 80:08 mark in the final half. Following a corner kick from junior Colleen Swift that landed on the far side of the box, sophomore Sarah Faloon was credited with her first career assist, getting a touch to VanHoeve.

North Alabama appeared to tie the match minutes later, but the goal was immediately wiped away due to a foul by the Lions behind the play. 

Wth just 31 seconds remaining, a tackle foul in the box created a penalty kick chance for Swift, who smashed it past UNA keeper Payton Yates for the final margin. Swift recorded her sixth career goal after leading the Eagles with two in the spring season.

Morehead State out-shot UNA 13-6, with eight being on net. Goalkeeper Michelle Jerantowski, who transferred in from Jacksonville prior to last season, collected her second individual shutout, stopping four Lion attempts. She finished the spring season with the third-best single-season goals against average in program history at 1.15.

The Eagles also kept the pressure on by generating eight corner kicks to the Lions' pair.

Morehead State continues its 2021 season on Sunday at Purdue-Fort Wayne at 1 p.m. ET.

Abby VanHoeve talks about her game-winning goal