CLINTON, S.C – The Newberry women entered Wednesday’s soccer match with archrival Presbyterian, never defeating the Lady Blue Hose in the program’s ten year history. But in order to keep with this season's theme of setting program firsts, the Lady Indians decided to march into Clinton, on Presbyterian’s home field, and take one back for Newberry College as they won 4-2 in a South Atlantic Conference match-up. The Lady Indians improve to 6-2 on the season, but more importantly rise to 2-1 in the SAC.
“I am so impressed by the way these kids played tonight.” said head coach Juan Pablo Favero. “To go up like we did, have the lead snatched away, then to take the lead back again for good; they didn’t play like 18 freshmen tonight. I don’t know too many teams with juniors and seniors that would respond the way our girls did tonight.”
The Indians rode to victory this particular evening on the cleats of Inga Woiwode (El Paso, Tex.) and Brooke Tumblin (Florence, S.C.), as they both scored a pair of goals. It marks the second time this season the tandem of forwards have scored two goals a piece.
The scoring started in the 10th minute for Newberry, as Adriana Farfan (West Palm Beach, Fla.) found Tumblin on a breakaway goal to put the Indians up 1-0. Then, just 46 seconds later, Woiwode found the net, from a gorgeous pass courtesy of Katherine Prete (Colorado Springs, Colo.), putting the Indians up 2-0.
Presbyterian regrouped, and controlled the possession for the majority of the rest of the first half. PC got one back in the 29th minute, as Presbyterian forward and first-team All-SAC member Claire Joyce (Aiken, S.C.) sent a header past Indian keeper Danielle Beckerle (St. Louis, Mo.). The half ended with Newberry on top 2-1.
More aggressive offensive play by Presbyterian led to the equalizer in 58th minute, off the foot of first-team All-SAC midfielder Megan Smith (Greenville, S.C.). After that goal, Presbyterian understandably was completely recharged from recovering from the two goal deficit. The Blue Hose unleashed an offensive barrage for the next 20 minutes. Presbyterian out-shot the Indians 19-9 for the game, including 8-3 in the second half.
But as the saying goes, its quality, not quantity that counts.
Woiwode notched the game-winner in the 85th minute, as Tumblin sent a terrific pass into Woiwode, who won a 1 vs. 1 with Presbyterian keeper Brittany Pecora (Myrtle Beach, S.C.). Then in the 88th minute, just for good measure, Tumblin recorded her second goal of the match, receiving a perfect flick from Farfan off of a reset. Farfan had two assists in the match.
Favero, never one to rest on his laurels, had the following comments:
“We are very excited to win this game. It is a sign that the program is headed in the right direction. But we still have a few problem areas to address if we want to be successful from here on out. A lot of work lies ahead, but we are glad to get a win against a great team.”
Newberry will have a chance to test out some of that hard work at the Newberry Soccer Complex on Saturday, as they host SAC-rival Wingate at 4 p.m.
