Sept. 2, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's soccer team fell today, 2-1, to the SMU Lady Mustangs in the championship game of the third annual Boilermaker Challenge Cup. The Boilermakers fall to 1-1 on the season, while SMU improves to 2-0.
"Despite the disappointing loss today, I thought that we did give a good effort, for the most part," said Purdue head coach Rob Klatte. "We made key mistakes at moments that mattered, but we did create our own opportunities and, unfortunately, did not capitalize on them. We can't gift good teams two goals and then try to fight our way out of a hole. We just need to put both sides of our game together, equally."
The Lady Mustangs came out on top of the ball quickly and ready to play, as they scored their first goal only 45 seconds into the first half. Lorrie Tipton found the back of the Boilermaker net, unassisted, for her only goal of the day, despite many shot attempts.
Purdue quickly rallied and began its comeback at 9:19, when freshman forward Lauren Sesselmann found sophomore forward Courtney Coppedge on a cross from the right side. Coppedge snapped the ball forward from about 10 yards out and scored her first goal of the season.
The game continued, a very physical and mentally challenging game for both teams, until the 31st minute, when the Boilermakers committed a foul beyond the midfield mark to give SMU a free kick.
With confidence in their goalkeeper, Purdue did not add much pressure to the kicker or to the goal area, but SMU's Diana Kelm lofted the ball high and long and it went just through the hands of Purdue keeper Elizabeth Boldt, despite her attempt to knock it down.
Purdue continued to fight through the rest of the game, but to no avail. The Boilermakers tallied several close calls, including a diving header that was barely saved and shots that hit both the crossbar and the post.
In the goal, senior Elizabeth Boldt netted the start for Purdue, spending the entire first half on the field. She faced nine SMU shots and saved three. Boldt takes the loss for Purdue, sending her season record to 0-1.
Junior Jocelyn Cavalier spent the second half in the box for the Boilermakers and faced nine shots also, saving five.
The Boilermakers will return to the field and look to build on this weekend's learning experiences when they head to the West Coast to play Oregon State on Friday, Sept. 7, and Portland State on Sunday, Sept. 9.
"Overall, I am very happy with the effort that has been shown this season with our scrimmage, Friday's game and today's game," Klatte said. "We'll look to continue that on the road this next weekend."
In the consolation game of the Boilermaker Challenge Cup, Miami (Ohio) fell, 2-1, to Georgetown. The Hoyas end their weekend at 1-1, while the RedHawks fall to 0-2.
The Boilermaker Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team was also selected with the following representatives:
Kim Harvey, SMU Sarah Harvey, SMU Diana Kelm, SMU Erin McLeod, SMU Lorrie Tipton, SMU Courtney Coppedge, Purdue Mary Masck, Purdue Krystal Pepper, Purdue Lauren Sesselmann, Purdue Shereena Chang, Georgetown Cristy DeLorenzo, Georgetown Karin Ostrander, Georgetown Julie Grosso, Miami (Ohio) Holly Wildenhaus, Miami (Ohio)
Lorrie Tipton was chosen as the Offensive MVP and Erin McLeod was named Defensive MVP.
-P-