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11/5/2009 - WOMEN'S SOCCER
Musacchio's Rocket Soars Bruins into Title Game
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Belmont senior Annie Musacchio netted the lone goal on a 30-yard free kick to carry the Bruins into Saturday’s title game with a 1-0 victory against the No. 3 Stetson Hatters in the opening semifinal contest of the 2009 Atlantic Sun Women's Championship from the KSU Soccer Complex.
Musacchio, who entered the game for the first time to start the second half after a substitution error, beat the Hatters on the same set play that resulted in a goal in Belmont's (10-5-4) tie with Stetson (11-7-2) in the regular season. The goal, her fifth on the season came courtesy of assists from Gretchen Sutch and Jessica Rix. Musacchio, a senior from Nashville, Tenn., delivered a perfectly placed ball into the top right corner of the net, that struck the crossbar and went into the net.
Belmont dominated possession of the pitch in the first half. However, the Bruins' possession failed to translate to any goals. Stetson could only muster a few solid counter attacks in the first half. Belmont's best chance at cracking the scoreboard came courtesy of a header from Jamie Loftis. Stetson keeper Andrea Garavaglia soared to the upper part of the net, snaring the try with two hands.
Sari Lin, the A-Sun's First-Team goal keeper earned her ninth shutout of the season, turning away the Hatters' two shots. Stetson's potent trio of Player of the Year Tessa Gavilsky, Heather Berg and Katie Bitetto combined for only five shots with Bitetto registering two on goal.
The Bruins will attempt to win back-to-back titles when they face the winner of No. 1 Kennesaw State and No. 4 Jacksonville in Saturday's 1:00 p.m. final. The last school to win consecutive A-Sun women's championships occurred in 2003 when UCF completed a run of three consecutive titles.
The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.
