September 18, 2010

North Charleston, S.C. - Junior Amy Loughran's hat trick performance against neighbor Charleston Southern propelled The Citadel Soccer team to a 4-1 victory on Saturday morning. The victory marks the first time in program history that the Bulldogs have earned a win against a Charleston, S.C. opponent.

After both teams were scoreless for most of the first half, Loughran found the net at the 35:17 mark as she kicked a long ball high into the net on a pass from freshman Nicole Levermann. Down 1-0, Charleston Southern's Emma Krantz followed with two consecutive shots but the first ball was saved and the second went wide. Morgann Wood also attempted to tie the match before the half but the Bulldogs again came up with the save to take their lead into halftime.

The Buc's playmaker, Marky Boyce opened the second period with a shot 34 seconds in but it was blocked. The Citadel took control from there taking the next seven of eight shots before finally converting one into a score. Freshman Mariana Garcia took a shot at the 56:37 mark but CSU's Amy Arroyo came up with the save. One second later Garcia found the loose ball in the box and kicked into the net to put Bulldogs up 2-0. Allison Lewis tried decreasing the Bucs deficit in the 60th minute but Whitney Nave came up with the save in her second half relief efforts. The Citadel kept Arroyo on her toes as Vanessa Aponte and Nicole Martinoli made some quick passes to Loughran and scored her second goal of the match at the 71:57 mark. Loughran continued with the offensive moves as three minutes later her header flicked on the far goal post past the keeper into the net on the assist from Miranda Johnson. The Bucs prevented the shutout as Toni Lashley scored at the 78:14 mark on a pass from Krantz.

To add to her three goals scored, Loughran recorded a team-high eight shots, seven on goal. Two different Bucs finished with four shots, Lashley who also tallied the lone goal and Krantz who registered an assist. Laura Serafino and Nave split time guarding the Bulldog net and finished with three and five saves, respectively. Arroyo concluded the match with 11 saves.

"The team has been working really hard and everything came together for us today," said junior Leah Hawkins. "Everyone gave it their all and we ended up getting a result."

The Citadel will open Southern Conference competition next Friday as they travel to Cullowhee, N.C. on September 24 to face Western Carolina at 7 p.m. For more information on Bulldog Soccer, visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics at www.CitadelSports.com.