SALISBURY, N.C. - Sophomore Alexandra Beshk
scored a goal just more than seven minutes into the first overtime
period to cap a three-goal comeback victory by Catawba and give
visiting UNCP its first non-conference loss of the season in a 3-2
nailbiter Wednesday evening at Frock Field.
The win improves the Catawba Indians to 8-3-2, while the Lady
Braves fall to 7-5-1. With the setback, UNCP has its non-conference
winning skein snapped at seven games and has its non-PBC record in
2007 fall to 7-1-0.
"My hats off to a well-coached Catawba team. They did the things
they needed to do to come out with the result," said UNCP head
coach Lars
Andersson. "We had some key defensive injuries in the second
half that ended up hurting us, but I was proud of the way we
battled until the end."
For the second time in five matches, Catawba found itself in a
2-0 hole at the break, but rallied once again for a win. UNC
Pembroke took the early lead, getting a goal by Alex McManus in the
17th minute and one by Meredith Pierson just less than four minutes
before the half.
Beshk would start the Lady Indian rally just past the hour as
she pounced on a loose ball in front of the goal line off a cross
from Tasha Wilhelm that found its way under UNCP keeper Whitney
Beverly. Lindsay Hinkle drew Catawba level as she found the net
from the top of the box following a punch out on a throw-in.
Catawba had several opportunities off three corner kicks in the
final minute, but each header was blocked or saved. Beshk hit the
crossbar twice in the opening minutes of overtime then capped the
comeback as she took a through ball from Wilhelm and beat Beverly
from 12 yards out.
Chelsea Binder made six saves after entering the game for
Catawba at the half. Beverly had six stops for the Lady Braves.
UNCP will step back into conference play this weekend when the
Black and Gold heads to Dahlonega, Ga., to take on North Georgia
(6-5-1, 0-3-1 PBC) in a key league tilt for both sides. Kickoff has
been set for 1 p.m. and will mark the front half of a soccer
twinbill as UNCP's men are slated to take on the Saints immediately
following the conclusion of the women's match.
