CLEVELAND – The West Georgia Wolves spoiled the 2009 home debut of the Delta State Lady Statesmen by claiming a 1-0 victory Friday afternoon at Delta Field.
Tatiana Pedrosa scored the match-winning goal in the 41st minute only moments after coming off the West Georgia bench. Pedrosa deposited a rebound off Delta State goalkeeper
Sam Le Jeune (Olive Branch, Miss./Center Hill HS) in the back of the net to provide the margin of victory.
The Lady Statesmen (2-6) fell to 0-2 in Gulf South Conference play. It was the third 1-0 loss for the Lady Statesmen in four games.
West Georgia (3-7) improved to 1-0 in the GSC.
The goal was Le Jeune’s only blemish in an otherwise brilliantly-played match. The freshman backstop made 16 saves, her second-highest total this season.
Among Le Jeune’s saves were several denials of almost certain scoring opportunities for the Wolves. She denied Kate Marnick of a 1-on-1 breakaway goal in the 38th minute, and then stopped a point-blank shot from Melanie Kilburn in the 40th minute to keep the score tied.
In the 53rd minute, Le Jeune halted a 3-on-1 advantage by robbing Bethany Austin of an insurance tally.
With only 14 players suited up, the Lady Statesmen adjusted their strategy and coverage to a midfield defense, which the Wolves tried to exploit. West Georgia outshot the Lady Statesmen 32-3, and held an 18-0 advantage in shots by the end of the first half.
The Delta State backfield, led by senior
Mikael Mendez (Fort Worth, Texas/Brewer HS/Mississippi Valley State) and sophomore
Sam Bossert (Collierville, Tenn./Collierville HS) played strong throughout the match and denied the Wolves even more scoring opportunities.
The Lady Statesmen had a few opportunities to tie the match late, but could not find the equalizer.
Jackie Kelly (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River HS) sent a pass up field to
Jaz Yacaman (Wellington, Fla./St. Amant, HS, La.) on the run in the 79th minute, but goalkeeper Patricia Logsdon was able to catch up to free ball.
Logsdon also made a great save on a shot from DSU’s
Hillary Ladner (Bay St. Louis, Miss./Bay HS) from 25 yards in the 83rd minute.
The Lady Statesmen’s best opportunity to knot the match came a few moments later.
Kristin Stensholt (Melbourne, Australia/Kingswood College) was able to beat two defenders and reach the penalty area in the 85th minute. Her shot attempt was deflected to
Angela Palazzolo (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville HS) near the goal box, but Palazzolo’s 6-yard attempt was saved by Logsdon.
The Lady Statesmen return to action Monday when they travel to Montgomery, Ala. to face Faulkner University. Game time is set for 3 p.m., and is the first of a women’s-and-men’s doubleheader.