Lady Bucs Continue To Cruise Through NCAA Play
By Rori Eddie

Memphis--Put another one in the books for the Christian Brothers University women’s soccer team (21-0), as the Lady Bucs made easy work of the University of North Florida (16-6), today in the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Quarter Finals, behind a score of 7-1.

Noticeably more confident and relaxed, with their first NCAA appearance under their belt, the Lady Bucs jumped to an early 1-0 lead as Missy Gregg headed home a Margaret Saurin cross to the top left corner of the net. Coming at the 19:29 mark, Gregg collected her 70th score of the year, while Saurin’s assist total climbs to 28 on the season.

The visiting Lady Ospreys would respond as Diane Hemke converted a one-touch shot in the box off a Terri Moo-Young pass, to even the contest at one all. The goal marks Hemke’s 13th score of 2001 campaign.

Six minutes later, Saurin would blast a direct kick over the out-stretched hands of UNF keeper, Caulli Chiscon to push the Lady Bucs in front 2-1. From that point, CBU refused to look back, outshooting their opponent 18-9.

The Signaigo Field crowd of 718 barely had a moment to digest Saurin’s score, before Gregg would add her 71st goal of the season and second score of the contest only 24 seconds later. Senior midfielder Tracey Mulligan slapped a free ball up to Gregg, which the junior forward softly chipped to the high right corner of the net to give CBU the 3-1 lead.

Arna Heimlund leaped above the crowd collected in front of the box to greet Saurin’s corner kick, before heading home the Lady Buc’s final score of the first period at the 43:11 mark. The goal marks Heimlund’s 16th score of the year.

The Lady Bucs would come out of the halftime huddle to deposit two quick scores at the 52:50 mark and the 53:18. Gregg would cap her 16th hat-trick performance of the year in 20 games with her 72nd score of the season. A soaring Gregg met a Sophia Rask cross to head home CBU’s sixth goal of the match.

Thirty clicks of the clock later, Mulligan gathered a deflected ball and lofted a one-touch chip shot just out of UNF’s second keeper of the game, Haley Epsteen’s reach. The score marks Mulligan’s third goal of the year.

Saurin would end the CBU rout with her second score of the contest, while boosting her goals scored total to 23 on the year. An instant replay of her earlier goal, Saurin just blasted home the goal off a direct kick to give the Lady Bucs the 7-1 victory.

The eight goals scored matches an NCAA Tournament record for most goals scored between two teams.

The CBU victory sets up the much-anticipated NCAA Semifinal between No. 1 Franklin Pierce and these No. 2 Lady Bucs. The show-down’s date, location, and time has yet to be determined.