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10/26/2009 - WOMEN'S SOCCER
Bruins Join Owls as Women's Soccer Co-Champions
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - One goal in the 83rd minute was all it took to help the Belmont women's soccer team (9-5-4, 6-1-3 A-Sun) its Atlantic Sun's regular season title in program history. The Bruins collected their ninth shutout of the season, knocking off UNF 2-0 on the road Sunday afternoon to earn a bye for the first round of the A-Sun Tournament.
A trio of corner kicks nearly had the Bruins on the board in the first half but Osprey netminder Racheal Howard was able to come away with critical saves. Senior Annie Musacchio (Nashville, Tenn.) launched the first, opening the door for junior Jayme Trocino (Franklin, Tenn.) to fire her first shot of the day in the 18th minute. At the 36:36 mark, junior Jessica Rix (Carmel, Ind.) fired BU's second corner kick to the awaiting head of rookie Laura Harris (Macon, Ga.). Five minutes later, Rix's second attempt from the corner found sophomore Jamie Loftis (Hermitage, Tenn.) but her header was stopped by the UNF defense. Freshman Megan Rock (Madison, Miss.) recorded Belmont's final shot of the half in the 43rd minute could not get past Howard. UNF's best attempt to get on the board immediately followed but Michelle Larrinaga's shot banged off the crossbar.
The strong back-and-forth defensive play continued into the second stanza. The match-up looked to be heading to extra periods until the 81st minute. Rix launched another corner kick and the Bruins were quickly called offsides as they made their way to the goal. Senior Elizabeth Bublis (Norman, Okla.) notched her lone shot of the game at the 82:47 mark but her attempt sailed over the net. With the momentum in its favor, BU was awarded another corner kick. Rix again made the attempt which landed in traffic inside the box. Loftis was able to get her head on the ball for her third goal of the season eight seconds later. Three minutes later, a free kick from freshman Brandi Phillips (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) got the ball into the box to Trocino who faced off against Howard one-on-one, netting the insurance goal at the 85:41 mark.
The Championship begins this weekend first-round contests between No. 5 Mercer and No. 4 Jacksonville from the Ashley Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Fla. as well as No. 3 Stetson hosting No. 6 Campbell.
