NEWBERRY, S.C. – The weather was mild, with a cool breeze coming in from the south.  The clouds had not yet dissipated from Tropical Storm Frances.  The Newberry women’s soccer team scored first, and never looked back.  So why was head coach Juan Pablo Favero sweating so much after the Indian’s 3-0 victory over visiting Pfeiffer College?

“We played very sloppy today,” said a dissatisfied Favero.  “We were lucky that Pfeiffer had played three games in six days.  Otherwise, we may not have escaped with a victory today.”

While “escaping” with a three to nil victory may ring a tad hollow, consider this:  Newberry only out-shot the Falcons ten to eight, as Pfeiffer had numerous good looks at the net up close.  As good as the looks were, Indians keeper Danielle Beckerle was better, who may have played her best game while dawning the scarlet and gray.  Beckerle finished the match with six saves, including a gorgeous diving save that robbed Falcon forward Angela Parker of an opportunity to make things really interesting.

Indian forward Brooke Tumblin notched the game winner in the 22nd minute, receiving a deflection from Adriana Farfan, and sending the ball past Falcon goalkeeper Jennifer Lindow.  Not to be outdone, Farfan scored her fourth goal of the season just nine minutes later, from a shoe-string pass from Inga Woiwode.

Woiwode got into the goal scoring mix as well, handling a tough ball from Genene Bowers just outside the box, and rocketing a shot into the nylon netting.

While a win is a win, coach Favero knows that as South Atlantic Conference play looms, the Indians will need a little something extra.

“We have to improve in the next three days if we want to be successful against Mars Hill,” explained Favero.  “We were fortunate that we were able to play good defense today and find the net.”

The Indians are back in action this Saturday at the Newberry Soccer Complex, welcoming the Mars Hill Lions for a 2 p.m. match.  The game will be the SAC conference opener for both teams.

Founded in 1856, Newberry College is affiliated with the South Carolina, Southeastern, Florida-Bahamas, and Caribbean Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Newberry is a proud member institution of the NCAA Division II and the South Atlantic Conference, a league comprised of eight colleges and universities in North and South Carolina and Tennessee.