HIGH POINT, N.C. – Freshman forward Ashley Johnson scored a pair of goals to propel No. 2 seed Radford to a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 7 seed UNC Asheville in the second game of the 2008 Big South Women’s Soccer Championship Thursday at Vert Soccer Stadium on the campus of High Point University.  The Highlanders will play No. 3 seed VMI Friday afternoon at 4:30pm in the Semifinals, marking their first semifinal appearance since 2005.

Radford launched an offensive barrage on UNC Asheville in the opening half, earning a 13-4 advantage in shot attempts.  But the Highlanders could not convert, leading to a scoreless half.  During the 28th minute, Radford collected a three shot flurry that included a pair of saves by UNC Asheville’s Veronica Lazar and a shot by Justine Dugger that hit the right post.  The Bulldogs best scoring chance came off a free kick by Robyn Busha in the closing minutes of the frame.

The two squads engaged in a more balanced second half of play with both defenses smothering several scoring opportunities. The Highlanders finally broke through in the 83rd minute as Latrice Lee found an open Johnson near the top of the box. Johnson settled the ball and slammed a shot into the left side of the net for her 11th goal of the season.

The Bulldogs answered with a score in the final minute of regulation when Katy Beeler chipped a shot over the head of Radford goalkeeper Lisa Lubke with :54 seconds left on the clock. Busha was credited with an assist on the equalizing score.

Johnson scored her second goal of the game at the 4:20 mark of the first overtime period, giving the Highlanders the 2-1 victory.  The play started with Jill Boyer beating a UNC Asheville defender down the right sideline and crossing the ball into the box.  Boyer’s cross slid through the hands of Lazar before Johnson cleaned up the loose ball into an open net.

Radford had a 19-7 advantage in shots and a 9-2 edge in corner kicks.  Lubke picked up the win for the Highlanders, making one save and allowing just one goal.  Lazar played the entire game for the Bulldogs giving up two goals while making seven saves.

Radford improves to 12-1-6 on the year, while UNC Asheville ends its season at 5-13-1.  Radford will be making its eighth appearance in the Big South Tournament Semifinals.  The Highlanders, which defeated VMI 4-1 in the regular-season, will face the Keydets in their first-ever meeting during the Conference Tournament.

QUOTES

Radford Head Coach Ben Sohrabi
“We played well through the game, we played good soccer and sometimes it was indirect and sometimes it was direct.  We played well all the way through from goalie to forwards and I am proud of our team.”

UNC Asheville Head Coach Michele Cornish
“We had moments where we showed flashes.  Hats off to Radford.”