Lindsey Ozimek's scored the game-winning goal in the 49ers 1-0 A-10 Tournament semifinal win over Richmond. |
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49ers Shutout Richmond To Advance To A-10 Championship Game
Nov. 9, 2007
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte 49ers (15-4-1) behind a second-half goal from Lindsey Ozimek and stellar defense shutout Richmond, 1-0, to advance to the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game. The 49ers advanced to the program's first league tournament championship game since 1999. Charlotte faces second-seed Fordham, who advanced to the finals on penalty kicks over Dayton, Sunday, November 11 at 1 pm for the A-10 Title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"I am not the least bit surprised that it was a close game," Charlotte coach Jon Lipsitz said. "They outworked us in the first half. At halftime I challenged our team to work harder. We would start playing soccer, when we started playing harder and winning more balls. They wanted to play pretty soccer, but you can't do that without the ball. I am proud of them for responding. We played a better second half."
The 49ers scored the game's only goal when Ozimek blasted the ball toward the Richmond goal from 25 yards out. Richmond goalkeeper Kate Hudson tried to grab the ball but the shot was just a little high and it went off her fingertips into the goal in the 53rd minute. Ozimek's goal was her fifth of the season.
"That's not her game," Lipsitz said. "She enjoys passing more than she does scoring goals. We get on her a lot for her lack of willingness to take over a game and hit more shots. But I am not surprised that with the game on the line this late in the year, she took over in the second half."
Charlotte's defense led by goalkeeper Lauren Brown recorded their 11th shutout of the season. Brown recorded six saves in the game.
The 49ers had several great scoring chances in the first half. Nikki Dumencich had a shot bounce off the post. While Hailey Beam headed a ball that appeared heading toward the game's first goal when Hudson made a great save on the ball.
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The 49ers finished the game with a 14-10 advantage in shots. Ozimek paced the 49ers with four shots. While Sam Huecker added three shots to Charlotte's attack.
