McKenzie, TN - The Lady Eagles headed to McKenzie on Wednesday to face their first conference game of the 2007-08 season against Bethel, who went into the game ranked #13 by the NAIA.

 

Bethel started very strong as they quickly started to move the ball around and force, Junior, Goalkeeper Alicia McPherson into a few fine saves. However, Lambuth stayed resilient and kept the score tied at half time.

 

The second half saw more of the same as Lambuth dealt with everything Bethel threw at them. All the pressure would take its toll, as on the hour mark Wildcats forward, D. Flores found herself in open space with the ball and volleyed it past, Junior Goalkeeper Connie Hanson, to make the score 1-0 Bethel. Lambuth did not drop their heads however, and instead started to knock the ball around and put some pressure on the Wildcats. It paid off, because with 20 minutes to go in the game, freshman, Megan Ladner dissected the Wildcat’s defense with a through ball into fellow freshman, Amy Pulliam, who never hesitated as she slotted her first goal of the season.

 

The Lady Eagles gained momentum from the goal as they pushed for another, but Bethel held strong and hit on the breaks with a devastating finish from forward, L. O’Grady. The score would remain the same as the final whistle blew, with Lambuth now 0-1 in conference play.

Despite the loss coach Duffy stated, “We need to build on this performance, and carry it into the next few games. We came into this game undoubtedly the underdogs and have turned a few heads with this result. I’m delighted how well we responded to the first goal, by getting one ourselves! We pushed them all the way and I am very happy with the effort.”