Bulldogs knock off Belmont, 3-1 :: Win should give Bulldogs sixth and final spot in tournament

Oct. 24, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford scored the first three goals then held off Belmont's rally as the Bulldogs defeated the Bruins, 3-1 at the Samford Soccer Field Wednesday night. The Bulldogs moved into sixth place in the conference and put themselves in good position to wrap up the final spot in the conference tournament. The only team that can keep Samford from going to the tournament is Belmont. Belmont has to sweep conference leaders UCF, Campbell and Florida Atlantic to keep the Bulldogs from going to the tournament.

Needing a win to stay in the hunt, the Bulldogs jumped out on the Bruins early. Freshman forward Heather Pomper beat Belmont goalkeeper Mikell Lucas and dribbled to the left side. As Lucas tried to get back in the goal, Pomper fired a shot from 30 yards wide. The ball hit the right far post and bounced into the goal to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.

The Bulldogs struck again in the 37th minute. Junior defender Sara Litteken played a through ball to Hayley Kolb. Kolb sent a shot into goal from 20 yards out, giving Samford a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Belmont had a few chances to cut into Samford's lead in the early minutes of the second half. Cristin Czubik had a shot on goal but Samford goalkeeper Carrie Ollom caught the ball in her stomach for a save. A few minutes later, Czubik's shot hit the cross bar and bounced away to end another Belmont threat.

The Bruins were forced to play a man down when Lucas was given a red card and ejected in the 63rd minute. Lucas tackled Samford's Lisa Robishaw on a breakaway around the top of the box. Amy Johnson and Kristin Giardina replaced Lucas in the goal.

Samford scored its third goal in the 67th minute. Freshman Heidi Kearns took a pass from Jessica D'Amico and knocked in a shot from five yards, to put the Bulldogs ahead 3-0.

Belmont answered Kearns' goal four minutes later on a goal by Stephanie Dodge. Dodge took the pass from Hayley Alden and sent a shot over Ollom's head, cutting the lead to 3-1 in the 71st minute.

The Bulldogs kept the Bruins from scoring for the remaining 19 minutes as Samford improved to 4-5-1 in Atlantic Sun conference and 7-9-1 overall. Belmont fell to 5-12, 2-5 in A-Sun. Samford out shot Belmont 24-21. The Bulldogs held the advantage on corner kicks, 5-4. Litteken picked up her first career assist and Kolb scored her eighth goal of the season.

Ollom finished with seven saves while freshman goalkeeper Crystal Royal recorded two saves. Lucas had three saves while Giardina had four saves.

Samford travels to take on Alabama A&M at 4 p.m. Friday. Belmont will host FAU Friday.