Charlotte Lady Eagles News Release - www.charlotteeagles.com
Saturday, June 1, 2013
CHARLOTTE, NC - Leah Fortune's 80th minute goal completed the comeback for the Lady Eagles as Charlotte defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 on Saturday evening at Queens University Stadium.
The action started quickly as the Silverbacks' Rachel Garcia's header in the 5th minute tested Robyn Jones for the first chance of the game for either team. Charlotte created a couple chances of their own early on. First, Whitney Brannan got to the end line but her goal mouth cross didn't have a recipient on the end and rolled through without a touch. Leah Fortune's left footed shot traveled just wide of the far post in the 10th minute and Jamie Achten's corner kick in the 19th minute traveled dangerously close to the Atlanta keeper but couldn't find an Eagle.
Atlanta opened the scoring in the 30th minute when a Connie Organ goal kick took a high bounce off the turf and over the Lady Eagles defense, Savannah Jordan ran onto it and put it into the left corner of the net.
The game went into halftime 1-0 in favor of Atlanta.
Two minutes into the second half Amanda Naeher set the tone for an excellent second half with a shot off the crossbar.
Alison Braun cleared an Atlanta shot right off the goal line with her head in the 53rd minute to keep it 1-0. Robyn Jones had come out to challenge an on-rushing Rachel Garcia and the ball ended up on the foot of another Atlanta player whose shot was met by Braun.
The Lady Eagles tied the game in the 65th minute from a header by McCallie Jones. Whitney Brannan whipped in a cross and Jones rose to meet it and send it into the back of the net.
Second half sub Gloria Douglas, fresh off the plane from a summer tour of England with her University of Virginia teammates, found Leah Fortune with a cross in the 80th minute. Fortune finished past goalkeeper Connie Organ to give the Lady Eagles the 2-1 lead.
Alex Brandt narrowly missed extending the Lady Eagles lead in the 86th minute with a shot just wide of the left post.
Charlotte would hold on to win their home opener and will look to keep their momentum going when they hit the road for an away game against Tampa Bay on June 7. The 4 p.m. ET game will be played at Plant City Stadium in Tampa, Florida.