NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 1, St. Thomas 0
Records: Life U 2-0-1; St. Thomas 3-1-1
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's soccer team remained unbeaten Thursday night, using a dominant second-half performance to defeat St. Thomas 1-0 at Lupo Family Field. A lightning delay at halftime provided a reset for the Running Eagles, who returned to the field with renewed energy and controlled much of the final 45 minutes on their way to the victory.
St. Thomas carried the play for much of the opening half, outshooting Life 6-1 and forcing goalkeeper Elora Niederpruem into four saves to keep the match scoreless. The Running Eagles managed just one shot in the first period but stayed level heading into the weather delay thanks to a strong defensive effort and Niederpruem's work between the posts.
The momentum shifted after play resumed.
The Running Eagles came out of the halftime lightning delay looking like a different team, controlling possession and creating consistent pressure in the attacking third. The breakthrough came in the 59th minute when Victoria Valles played a ball out wide to Djenna Zahoual on the wing. Zahoual delivered a low cross into the box where Louise Martineau met it and finished home the game's lone goal. The strike was Martineau's third goal of the season, while Zahoual and Valles were each credited with assists on the play.
The goal proved to be the difference.
Life continued to create chances after taking the lead, while the defense limited the visitors' opportunities down the stretch. Niederpruem added two more saves in the second half and finished with six on the night as the Running Eagles secured the shutout victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-- Life outshot St. Thomas 9-5 in the second half after being outshot 6-1 in the first half.
-- St. Thomas held an 11-10 edge in total shots.
-- Life finished with a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
-- Elora Niederpruem recorded six saves in the shutout.
TURNING POINT:
-- The Running Eagles emerged from the halftime lightning delay with a completely different energy, controlling the second half and finding the game's lone goal in the 59th minute.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
-- Louise Martineau scored the game-winning goal, her third of the season.
-- Djenna Zahoual and Victoria Valles each recorded assists on the decisive goal.
-- Elora Niederpruem made six saves in the shutout victory.
-- Odalis Tapia led Life with two shots on goal.
