#8 CSU Falls in Shootout to #1 Winthrop

Cederholm shut out Winthrop for 110 minutes of play

CONWAY, S.C. – The Lady Bucs fell 4-2 in shootouts Thursday afternoon in first round action in the Big South Women’s Soccer Tournament. After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Lady Bucs faced a shoot out against the Big South Player of the Year Dimitra Polousa.

Polousa saved the first kick from senior Karen Knight, and down 4-2 in a must-score situation, Toni Interrant kicked the ball around Polousa’s outstretched arms, but hit the post, ending the game and allowing the top-seeded Winthrop Eagles to advance to round two, facing UNC Asheville who won game one of the tournament in double-overtime.

Winthrop and CSU played even in the first half, with CSU recording four shots, putting all of them on goal, while only allowing two shots on goal by Winthrop. Both teams had three corners in the first half but neither team could capitalize on their opportunities.

For the second straight game in the tournament, the contest would see overtime as Winthrop and Charleston Southern would play to a scoreless tie after 90 minutes. At the end of regulation, CSU held a 7-3 advantage in corners, but trailed 11-7 in the shot category. Freshman Mia Cederholm recorded six saves, while Big South Player of the Year Dimitra Polous had five saves at the end of regulation.

With two minutes left in the first overtime, Caitlin Gunyan crossed a ball into the middle to Toni Interrant, who found Lindsey Trexler streaking down the left side. Trexler got Polous off her line, but was unable to finish the play as the ball sailed wide keeping the game scoreless and sending it to a second overtime.

The Lady Bucs end the season at 5-10-3 with a 2-6 mark in the Big South, but will look to improve on that as they graduate just one senior in Karen Knight.