Behind goals from seniors Kelly Costopoulos and Clare Mullins, the second-ranked Emory University Women's Soccer Team opened the 2013 season with a 2-1 road victory over Wheaton College (Mass.) on Sunday afternoon.
Costopoulos put the Eagles on the board early in the contest, scoring in the ninth minute after collecting a loose ball inside the box and shooting it into the upper right corner for the goal.
With the goal, Costopoulos continued to climb the ladder on a number of Emory's all-time scoring lists. The senior is now tied for eighth in school history with 21 career goals, along with Sylvia Ghant (1994-97), Jamie English (2004-07) and Rebecca Krohn (1991-92). She also moved into sole possession of 15th place with 52 career points (one behind Joyce Lam for 14th-place and two behind Katie Coburn for 13th).
The Eagles added onto their lead in the 66th minute, when Mullins launched a shot from the middle of the field 20-yards out into the top left corner, boosting Emory's advantage to 2-0. Mullins goal would prove to be the game-winner, the eighth of the senior's career, moving her into a tie for ninth-place in school history.
Less than a minute later, Wheaton got on the board when Kaitlin Montoya chipped a ball over the head over Emory sophomore goalkeeper Liz Arnold. However, the Eagles defense maintained the one goal advantage for the remainder of the game to claim the victory.
Making her inaugural start as an Eagle, junior goalkeeper Gabrielle Pelura made one save, en route to her first career victory, while Arnold converted a pair of saves in the second half. Wheaton keeper Taylor Wilson made one save, absorbing the loss for the game.
The loss dropped Wheaton to 0-2-0 on the season, while Emory stands at 1-0-0, and improved to 21-4-3 in season opening games all-time. The Eagles are also now 11-3-10 against ranked Division III opponents over the last four seasons.
The Eagles will be in action again on Monday, traveling to the University of Massachusetts Boston for a 1:00 PM Labor Day matchup with the Beacons.
#2 Emory Women’s Soccer Opens Season with Road Win over #16 Wheaton
Posted: Sep 01, 2013