All match photos courtesy of Rusty Burroughs
The Charlotte Lady Eagles opened defense of their 2001 W-League National Championship with a 2-1 win over the Hampton Roads Piranhas Saturday night at East Mecklenburg High School. Keri Ann Lawson, who subbed in at the 76th minute, knocked in a Tina Murphy cross for the game winner in the 80th minute.
After a scoreless first half, the Lady Eagles got on the board in the 62nd minute. With her back to the goal, Murphy took a pass from Katie Gardinier, turned and left footed a ten yard shot into the lower left corner of the Hampton Roads goal for a 1-0 Charlotte lead. The Piranhas tied the match at 1-1 13 minutes later as Jenna Szyluk headed in a feed from Ashley McGhee just under the crossbar and over the outstretched arms of Lady Eagles' goalkeeper, Esther Thompson. Lawson's goal in the 80th minute was the final margin of victory as the Lady Eagles held on for the win.
"Considering three of our players just joined us in the last two days we're very happy to get the win," stated Lady Eagles' General Manager Graham West. Our women began to adjust to each other and against the Piranhas as the game went on." "Keri Ann Lawson plays with a lot heart and has great speed and it was great to see her come off the bench and get the winning goal." In the final minutes, the Piranhas had a few good scoring chances including a set piece off a free kick that Thompson smothers just inside the right post.
LAWSON AND MURPHY Celebrate winning goal
Lady Eagle of the Match: Tina Murphy
The Charlotte Eagles won their second straight game Saturday night at East Mecklenburg High School with a 1-0 overtime win over the Hampton Roads Mariners. Eagles' forward Dustin Swinehart guided a pass from defender Ben Johnson by Mariners' keeper Joe Larson for the game winner in the 98th minute, the eighth minute of sudden death overtime. Charlotte keeper Richard Goddard faced 15 shots and made seven saves as he was kept busy most of the night. Hampton Roads outshot the Eagles 15-9 in the match.
Dustin Swinehart and teammates celebrate winning goal
Andy McDermott using his head
Dustin's Intense Concentration
The Eagles improved to 3-2-0 for 13 points on the season, but dropped to fourth place in the A-League's Southeast Division, one point behind the third place Richmond Kickers. The Kickers earned five points Saturday night with a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh. Hampton Roads fell to 0-5-0 for 0 points and are still looking for their first victory of the season.
SCORING:
Charlotte - 98th minute - Dustin Swinehart (3rd),,,assist Ben Johnson
Score By Half 1st 2nd OT TOTALS
Hampton Roads 0 0 0 0
Charlotte 0 0 1 1
Shots By Half 1st 2nd TOTALS
Hampton Roads 6 8 14
Charlotte 4 4 8
Lineups
Charlotte
GK - Richard Goddard
D - Chris Allen
D - Hugo Galeano
D - Ben Johnson
D - Nate Watkins
MF - Leo Garjardo
MF - Andy McDermott
MF - Rob Mouw (Sub - 46th minute - Caleb Norkus)
MF - Mark Pinch
F - Jose Gomez (Sub - 90th minute - Jacob Coggins)
F - Dustin Swinehart
Lineups
Hampton Roads
GK - Joseph Larson
D - Ian Checcio
D - Darren Wartham
D - Gary Brooks
D - Richard Hansen
MF - Mark Rowland
MF - Kevin Knott
MF - Aaron Lujan (Sub 73rd Guillermo Henriques)
MF - Jeff Dominguez
F - Ricardo Villar (Sub - 79th minute - Cecil Lewis)
F - Matt Harrell (Sub - 92nd minute - Sean Callahan)
Officials:
Referee - Marcel Yonay
Asst. Ref - John Frey
Asst. Ref - Abbas Piran
4th Official - Larry Ashworth
Attendance: 1,025
EAGLEMAN OF THE MATCH: Defender BEN JOHNSON
