Player, Towne lead Spartans over Stetson, 4-1

RALEIGH, N.C. – Sophomore Kristin Player and senior Mary Kate Towne each had a pair of goals to lift the UNC Greensboro women's soccer team to a 4-1 win over Stetson in the opening game of the 2008 NC State/Residence Inn North Tournament.

The Spartans (3-2-0) out-played Stetson (0-3-0) in every aspect on Friday afternoon, leading the Hatters in shots by a total of 14-4. Eight of UNCG's shots were on net while the Spartans defense was able to hold Stetson to just two shots on goal. Towne and Jenn Partenheimer led all Spartans with four shots a piece. Partenheimer placed three on net.

For Towne, this afternoon's game was the second highest point total of her career. Her four points are second to her performance against Coastal Carolina on September 12, 2004 when she netted two goals and added and assist for five total points. This is the second two-goal performance by Player. She netted two goals in the 4-1 win over Chattanooga on October 4, 2007.

Player gave the Spartans an early lead in just the second minute of play with her second goal of the season. Player lofted the ball over Stetson goalkeeper, Andrea Garavaglia, from 15 yards out to net the unassisted goal.

Towne got on the board 20 minutes later with her first goal of the season, sending her shot into the back of the net right in front of the goal mouth. Kelly Attayek picked up the assist, her first of the year.

Stetson was able to pull within a goal late in the first half when Tessa Gavilsky took a through ball from Natalie Simon and sent the ball past UNCG keeper Barrie Vogel from 20 yards out.

It was Towne and Attayek who were at it again in the 58th minute of play as Towne one-timed a cross from Attayek, sending the ball into the upper left corner to give the Spartans a one goal advantage. It wasn't more than five minutes later when Player struck with her second goal of the game to put UNCG up 4-1. The 2007 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year sent another ball into the back of the net from 15 yards out after the ball found its way to Players feet after a series of passes from Nicole Danford and Attayek.

UNCG will return to action on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 pm when they face Virginia Commonwealth to close out tournament play for both teams. It will be the first meeting of its kind between the Spartans and VCU. Live stats may be found by going to either UNCGSpartans.com or GoPack.com.

AGATE
Scoring Summary:  UNCG – Kristin Player (unassisted) 1:12; UNCG - Mary Kate Towne (Kelly Attayek) 21:22; Stetson – Tessa Gavilsky (Natalie Simon) 41:04; UNCG – Mary Kate Town (Kelly Attayek) 57:10; UNCG – Kristin Player (Nicole Danford and Kelly Attayek); Shots:  UNCG 14, Stetson 4; Saves:  UNCG 1 (Vogel 1, Kearney 0), Stetson 4 (Garavaglia 4); Corner Kicks: UNCG 4, Stetson 4; Fouls UNCG 9, Stetson 8.

- UNCG -