Proctor Scores First Collegiate Goal, Mastodons Fall to Titans, 2-1

Sunday, September 13

Fort Wayne, Ind.

6:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

0-4-1

Detroit

2-2-1

Detroit

IPFW

Proctor Scores First Collegiate Goal, Mastodons Fall to Titans, 2-1

9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 13, 2009

Box Score

Fort Wayne, Ind.- Despite a late second half goal from IPFW freshman Rhea Proctor, the Detroit Titans held off a late-charging Mastodon offense, to win Sunday evening's tightly officiated contest 2-1 at Hefner Stadium.

Detroit moves to 2-2-1 with the win, while IPFW falls to 0-4-1 on the season.

The game began as most have this season, with both teams trading possessions and firing many close, but unsuccessful shots. Although the shots weren't falling for either side, the Mastodons had a few attempts that could've changed the game's outcome.

Twelve minutes into the first half, Lisa Underwood nearly put the `Dons ahead after firing shot that missed just wide of the Titan goal, which was empty as Detroit's goalkeeper charged Underwood's direction. A sigh from the crowd illustrated how close the goal was from finding the back of the net.

Despite missing her first attempt wide, Underwood wasn't finished attacking in the game's opening period.

Midway through the opening half, after receiving a well-struck pass from Tara O'Toole in Mastodon territory, Underwood almost found the net again, striking a header just outside Detroit's box that was saved by charging Titan goalkeeper Joanna Hinde.

After trading possessions, Detroit found the scoreboard in the 31st minute, when Sarah Dzuris scored off a deflected shot from a Titan corner kick, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. Detroit would take the one goal lead into halftime.

The momentum was in Detroit's favor heading into the second half, but the Mastodons came out with a more aggressive approach and an experienced lineup in the second frame.

The extra getty up, however, would pay off for the home team later rather than sooner.

Shortly after the half began, the Titans received an insurance goal from Nina Carter, who drove the left side of the field and beat IPFW goalkeeper Kristen McFadden on the near post, giving Detroit a 2-0 early second half lead.

Although down two goals, the Mastodons fought back with an offensive shooting clinic in the next 15 minutes. In this time frame, IPFW outshot Detroit 9-1, with one of nine shots finding the back of the net and another called back due to an offsides call by the officials.

The Mastodon goal came from freshman Rhea Proctor, who put a shot from inside the Titans box into the near post, after receiving an accurate cross pass from Justine LeBlanc. The goal was Proctor's first as a Mastodon.

As regulation neared, IPFW continued to push the ball into Detroit territory. However, for every Mastodon attack, the Titans defense held its ground, holding IPFW's offense to zero shots on goal in the final 20 minutes. When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard read 2-1, in favor of the visiting Titans.

Thanks to the second half push, the Mastodons outshot the Titans 14-13, but the 'Dons accumilated more fouls in the process, 15-10, including two yellow cards. 

McFadden played well in goal for the `Dons, making many diving saves on the night. She had nine saves total against the Titans.

Leading IPFW in shots was Underwood, who fired eight shots and three shots on goal. As mentioned, Proctor scored the lone goal for the Mastodons on her only shot of the contest. O'Toole had three shot attempts, with LeBlanc and Kari Gotschall each fired a shot a piece.

The Mastodons will hit the road for their next match against Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio, on September 20. Match time is set for 3:00 p.m. EST.

~Dons~