KENNESAW, Ga. – Jacksonville scored two goals in less than three minutes including
the game-winner just 46 seconds into overtime as the No. 5-seed Dolphins stunned
top-seed Kennesaw State, 2-1, in the semifinals of the 2006 Atlantic Sun Conference
Women's Soccer Championships at the KSU Soccer Complex.
Jacksonville (10-9-1) scored in the 89th minute when Angela Hulse, in the
midst of a scramble in front of the Kennesaw State goal, tapped in a loose ball
from six yards out to tie the match and send the affair into overtime.
As quick as the game was tied, it ended even faster as Jacksonville’s Emilie
Howland took a cross from Angela Hulse and fired the game-winner to the lower
left corner past a diving Kennesaw State goalkeeper Staci Pugh.
Kennesaw State (13-2-2), in their first their first year of postseason eligibility
since joining the A-Sun last season, had control of the match throughout, out
shooting Jacksonville 35-6, but could only capitalize on one opportunity. The
Owls got on the board in the 28th minute when A-Sun Player of the Year Laura
Tucker scored on a six-yard tap off a cross from the conference's leader in
assists, Sara Clapham. The goal was a result of constant pressure the Owls put
on the Dolphins during the first stanza. Kennesaw State out shot Jacksonville
19-2 in the first half.
Jacksonville keeper Michelle Kmiotek kept her teammates in the match by stopping
22 shots including a flurry of five shots in the opening minutes of the second
half.
The Dolphins will play Stetson in the championship match on Saturday evening
at 7:30 p.m.
Release courtesy of KSU Athletic Communications
General Notes -- Jacksonville becomes the first No. 5 seed to reach the finals.
-- JU's Michelle Kmiotek's 22 saves is the second highest in tournament history.
-- The Dolphins won their last title in 2000 as the No. 1 seed.