Cook's Golden Goal Lifts 'Dogs Past High Point, 2-1 :: The Bulldogs' freshman scores her team-leading sixth goal of the season

Sept. 16, 2007

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Samford University soccer team used a golden goal from true freshman Lauren Cook in the 100th minute of play to defeat the High Point Panthers 2-1 in the opening match of Sunday's Thundering Herd NIKE Invitational.

Samford (4-2-0) played in its first overtime contest of the 2007 campaign and defeated High Point (1-3-2) in the first meeting between the teams. Cook's game-winning goal was her team-leading sixth of the season and was assisted by senior Heather Birdsell.

Hilary Samuels, another one of the Bulldogs' talented freshmen, tallied Samford's first goal of the match during the 75th minute of play. The score was Samuels' second of the season as she sidestepped High Point's goalkeeper Hannah Nail and slammed home the equalizing goal midway through the second half.

The teams played to a scoreless first half in an early defensive struggle. High Point only attempted five shots in the opening 45 minutes of play, while Samford registered just three shot attempts.

The Panthers took a 1-0 advantage in the contest as Leslie Long scored a goal during the 54th minute of play. On the score, Long gathered a pass from Courtney Spotts and found the back of the net from 35 yards out.

Samford's Cayley Winters played all 100 minutes in goal and picked up her fourth victory of the season. She has only allowed five goals in six matches this year and owns an impressive 0.86 goals-against average. Three of Samford's four victories have been shutouts.

The Bulldogs' Cook has scored six of the team's nine goals this season and Samford's freshmen have accounted for all but one of the squad's goals this year.

The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday as the Bulldogs return home to Birmingham to host the Auburn Tigers at 7 p.m.