Nov. 7, 2009

Charlotte 2, Fordham 1
November 6, 2009

Charlotte, NC. - The second seeded Charlotte 49ers (16-2-2) broke open a deadlocked game with a last minute goal from India Winford to defeat the Fordham Rams (9-12-1), 2-1 in the first A-10 Championship semifinal game.

"Tonight, we didn't play our best soccer. We are happy to advance, but we need to bring our A-game [to the Championship]," said Charlotte head coach John Cullen. "

Fordham's Annie Worden capitalized on a Charlotte turnover, putting the ball into the left corner of the net. Fordham took a 1-0 45 seconds into the game. Worden's goal was her seventh of the season.

Charlotte's Sam Huecker tied the game, 1-1, in the 27th minute with an unassisted scoring shot from 13 yards out.

Whitney Weinraub appeared to have scored after a Charlotte corner kick in the 83rd minute, but the officials called offsides, negating the goal.

Winford drilled the ball into an open goal after a Megan Minnix assist in the 89th minute to essentially clinch the game. Winford's goal was her third of the season.

"We rushed the play," said Fordham head coach Ness Selmani. "It's one of those games where your mind works differently. It was a tremendous game, I'm proud of them.

With this victory, Charlotte advances to their third straight A-10 Championship game. The 49ers will face the winner of the other semifinal game between top-seed Dayton and fifth-seed Saint Louis in the A-10 Championship game, Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 pm.

Dayton 5, Saint Louis 1

Charlotte, N.C. - Top seeded Dayton (15-0-5) overwhelmed Saint Louis' (8-9-4) defense, coasting to a 5-1 victory. Four different players provided offense for the Flyers, as they advanced to play Charlotte in the championship match, Sunday at 1 p.m.

"We're getting better and better offensively, but I'm more pleased with our offense than our defense, which is unusual for us," said Dayton head coach Mike Tucker. "Early on we set the tone and it never hurts to get an early goal."

Dayton's Colleen Williams scored her fifth goal of the year in the third minute on a header that she drilled into the off-corner of the goal. Cara Cornacchia recorded the assist as Dayton took the lead, 1-0.

With an assist from Mandi Back, Tori Oelschlager chipped a ball past Saint Louis' goalkeeper in the 21st minute. Dayton increased its lead to 2-0.

In the 31st minute, Williams scored her second goal of the game and Dayton's third off an assist from Kelly Blumenschein. Dayton added to their lead, 3-0.

Saint Louis finally got on the board in the 33rd minute, when Emily Kryzer, off the bench, scored her first of the year off a long free kick. Susan Frederickson recorded the assist as Saint Louis cut Dayton's lead, 3-1.

Coming out of the half, Lauren MacCormick, working inside the box, knocked one past the Billikin defense, giving Dayton a 4-1 lead in the 47th minute.

The 4-1 deficit prompted Saint Louis to bring in backup goalie Amber Zdanovec.

Kelly Blumenschein took a long shot in the 61st minute that found a high corner of the net, just out of goalkeeper Zdanovec's reach. Dayton increased their lead to 5-1.

"We just came out flat," said Saint Louis head coach Tim Champion. "We gave up early goals, you can't give up early goals. [One] win in the tournament is not what we expect. We have higher expectations."

With the victory, Dayton will play Charlotte for the A-10 Championship on Sunday, November 8th, at 1 p.m.