Covenant Falls At Home To Birmingham Southern, 2-1

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Andrew Mindeman

Down two goals in the second half, the Covenant women's soccer team mounted a comeback but ultimately fell short in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham Southern on Tuesday night at Scotland Yard.

The loss is the first of the year at home for Covenant (4-2).

It was also the first time all year that an opponent had scored on the Lady Scots at the Yard.

In a first half that saw several shots, but few good looks at the net, for either team the visiting Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the final 11 seconds. Lettie Lundy put in a cross from Bailey Gardner from short range in the 45th minute to put Birmingham Southern ahead 1-0. The goal was Lundy's first of the season. Early in the second half, Birmingham Southern found the back of the net once again. Taylor Andrews got a deflected ball inside the 18-yard box and drove it home giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead. The goal was Andrews' team-leading eighth of the year.

But Covenant would mount a comeback through the rest of the second half. The Lady Scots got on the board in the 62nd minute when Molly Kate McClearn collected her second goal of the year, assisted by Kyra Duble, to bring Covenant to within 2-1.

Covenant would keep the pressure on Birmingham Southern the rest of the way. The Lady Scots outshot the Panthers 12-6 in the final period. Duble and Elsa Woody had looks within range in the final 15 minutes, but both shots were blocked. Lizzy Hightower had an attempt in the final seconds, but it sailed wide left.

The Lady Scots held a 17-16 shot advantage in the contest. McClearn had four shots to lead the way, while Addy Cronan and Hightower had three apiece.

Rachel Lemay made six saves at the net for Covenant. Birmingham Southern (6-2) keeper Blakley Jones tallied five saves in the win. Andrews led the Panthers, and all players, with six shots attempted.

UP NEXT

Covenant will open USA South play on Saturday at Piedmont. Kickoff in Demorest, Ga., is set for 2 p.m.