YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Candace Edwards scored a goal and assisted on another as Young Harris College rallied for a 2-1 overtime women's soccer victory over Shorter University to open the 2013 season Thursday (Sept. 5) afternoon at the YHC Lacrosse Field.
The Mountain Lions improved to 1-0-0 and they will return to action Sunday (Sept. 8) with an 11 a.m. Central time match against Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. Shorter fell to 0-1-0.
Young Harris head coach Kathy Brown won her 250th match in the process. Brown, who led the Mountain Lions to the National Junior College Athletic Association's National Championship in 2006, has been the only head coach the program has ever known since its inception in 1997. Brown's overall record stands at 250-61-11 (.793 winning percentage) as she starts her 17th season for Young Harris.
Shorter, which outshot Young Harris 26-12 (10-7 on goal), took a 1-0 lead when Helena Farhina collected a loose ball near the top of the box and knocked it past Young Harris goalkeeper
Taylor Erickson, who had nine saves, into the left corner of the goal with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
"I felt the team worked very hard to gain composure after a very shaky start," said Brown. "We have a lot to work on, but I'm thrilled to come away with a win. This game will be a very useful learning experience for the team as we are trying hard to organize our system and come together. It will get even better with time. I'm proud of their efforts. It's a great group of young women."
The Mountain Lions got the equalizer with just over 15 minutes remaining in regulation when Edwards sent a through ball to
Whitney Thomas, who then beat Shorter goalkeeper Taylor Hays (five saves) and knocked it in the right corner of the net.
Shorter was forced to play a player down in overtime when Aline Tamiosso was sent off after getting two cards in about 75-second span. The Mountain Lions claimed the win with 1:10 remaining in the first overtime when
Liza Carpenter drove down the right side of the field and found Edwards at the near post. Edwards then flicked it past the Shorter goalkeeper for the deciding goal.
