Greensboro, NC - Greensboro College Women's Soccer team took the pitch today to face off against bitter rival Guilford College. Both teams were riding high coming into the match as neither squad had lost in the last 2 weeks. Rivals is one word to describe these teams as they both played incredibly hard for the full 90 minutes. Both teams also combined for over 20 fouls including 4 yellow cards and even 1 red card.
The match started out fast with Guilford earning a shot on goal in the first minute of play. The shot would be saved by Goalie Sofia Pagnamenta, who was incredible the whole game. The rest of the first five minutes saw each generate chances in the attacking third but in the 6th minute Guilford would force the pride to drop back and defend for next minutes. The Quakers earned a few set pieces and touches in the box over this period of the game but again Sofia Pagnamenta held strong. In the 14th minute facing a Guilford free kick from only 25 yards out the Pride keeper made a ridiculous full extension diving save to keep the scoreline 0-0.
While GC was able to get out on counter and go forward, Guilford would be quick squash the efforts and get back to attacking. The majority of the first half would be played in Greensboro's defensive half with Guilford earning eight total shots. However, the Pride back line played fantastic defense in the first half, keeping Guilford to only one true quality chance.
The last 10 minutes of the first half is where things got chippy and proved why the battle of the GCs in any sport is true rivalry. There would be a total of 8 fouls and 4 yellows given in the final 10 and they would all be for hard contact. The half would end 0-0 but the first half was full of action highlighted by the brilliant play of the Pride defense.
The second half would be very similar to the first with the pride committing a hard contact foul 20 seconds in. Guilford would use the set piece to reestablish their attacking possession earning a shot on goal just 2 minutes into the half. The pride once again would defend well enough to get out on the counter attack but struggled to get anything going.
The Pride would suffer a huge loss in the 62nd minute as Skylar Molnar was sent off with a red card. Greensboro would be forced to play the rest of game a man down. The Pride would be forced to drop back and defend attack after attack for the final half hour. While they defended the best they could, the Quakers would be able to find the back of the net in the 81st minute on a back post crosser.
Greensboro tried everything they could following the goal but were able to find an equalizer. Guilford would escape Pride Field with a tight 1-0 win keeping the Pride shotless during the match. This match was a tough fight between two very talented sides who don't like each other. Although the Pride suffered their first loss in their last five games, this one is tough because Sofia Pagnamenta was great in net (7 saves) and the defense played enough to either draw or win outright.
GC Women's Soccer will be back in action Saturday, September 23rd at home on Pride Field. That match will be played against USCAA school Johnson and Wales University with kickoff scheduled for 12pm. This match is also Greensboro College Homecoming game featuring free T-shirts for students and the Homecoming court presentation at halftime.
