Box Score
CLEVELAND - The Delta State Lady Statesmen fell behind early to The University of Alabama in Huntsville and were unable to recover despite a strong effort, falling to the Chargers 3-1 Sunday afternoon.
The Chargers caught the Lady Statesmen off guard with a quick strike just 20 seconds into the game, to go up 1-0. Sydnie Fiocca had the goal for Alabama-Huntsville (4-3-0).
The Lady Statesmen answered back with a few chances of their own, none closer then a ball that deflected off the crossbar straight down, but not into the net. Alabama-Huntsville recovered and took the ball the other way on a counter attack and Fiocca added her second goal of the game to put the Chargers up 2-0 in the 17th minute.
The Chargers would add one more before the half, with a goal from Cady Reisman to have a three-goal cushion at the break.
After half time, the Lady Statesmen made some adjustments and it resulted in several chances in the second half.
Delta State had three shots blocked in the first few minutes of the second half and then
Tais Cotta put a ball just over the crossbar on a quality scoring opportunity.
Minutes later, the Lady Statesmen got on the scoreboard with a goal from
Payten Pearson. The goal was Pearson's second of the season and second in over the weekend, after scoring last game. Pearson's goal also moved her into a tie for 6th place on the all-time goals list for the Lady Statesmen.
Erin Tucker and
Meredith Wilkes picked up assists on the play as quick passes gave Pearson room for the goal.
The Lady Statesmen weren't done on the attack. Minutes later,
Ashley Goodlett had a well struck shot saved and
Hilary Ladner had a header off a corner cleared off the line by a Chargers defender.
In the 78th minute, the Tucker had a breakaway opportunity for the Lady Statesmen, but put the ball just wide of the net.
After a corner kick in the 81st minute, Goodlett made it two crossbars on the day for the Lady Statesmen as her shot went just inches high on the last real opportunity for Delta State.
The Lady Statesmen finished with 17 shots, being out shot by 5 by the Chargers. The Lady Statesmen had four corner kicks, all in the second half, to Alabama-Huntsville's five.
Kelsey Elling made six saves on nine shots, but picked up the loss in the game. Elling did move into second all time on the Lady Statesmen list for career saves. The sophomore now sits at 158, just behind Bonnie Keene at 165. Elling also passed Sarah Prevost in the game to move into second place all-time with 1960:47 minutes played.
The Lady Statesmen will return to action on Friday when they travel to West Alabama for their first conference road game of the season.
