Aug. 29, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue soccer team bounced back from an early deficit to pull away with a 4-1 victory over St. Bonaventure on Sunday afternoon at the Varsity Soccer Complex.
"I thought it was a good performance," head coach Robert Klatte said. "St. Bonaventure scored within the first minute of the match off a miscue in the back which was truly disappointing, but we were really happy with the team the way they rebounded. We suppressed a good attacking team that passes the ball well and created opportunities."
Purdue (2-1-1) started the game on a bad note, as it turned the ball over deep in its own third of the field. St. Bonaventure (1-2) was quick to capitalize, as Tori Burchett turned the errant pass into a breakaway goal just 35 seconds into the match. Her goal was the fastest ever allowed by the Boilermakers, topping the previous mark of 45 seconds set in 2001 by SMU.
Purdue came right back in the fourth minute with a great scoring opportunity. Senior Liz Secue made a deep run into the 18-yard box and found sophomore Marta Lynch, who sent the ball just over the crossbar. The Boilermakers had another good look in the 7th minute from junior Lauren Montenegro. The Diamond Bar, Calif., native was awarded a free kick from 36 yards out in the middle of the field. She drove a laser towards the top of the goal that forced St. Bonaventure goalkeeper Kathryn Kerkman to make a diving punch-save over the top of the net.
The Boilermakers finally struck when junior Alexis Tryba found Montenegro from 32 yards out. The latter blasted a shot that bounced over the head of Kerkman into the net to tie the score at one. Tryba was credited with the assist on the play. The goal was Montenegro's second of the weekend.
Montenegro's goal changed the game into a physical battle that featured three yellow cards. Amidst the pushing and shoving, Roya Akhavain played a beautiful cross in the 41st minute to the right side of the goal, where freshman Rachael Kimack fired a quick shot past the diving arms of goalkeeper. The goal was Kimack's second in as many appearances as a Boilermaker and her first-career game winner.
Purdue came right back with a goal in 44th minute from another freshman, as Shae Desmond ripped a shot from 30 yards out in the middle of the field and into the upper third of the goal to give the Boilermakers a 3-1 advantage. The goal was the first of Desmond's career. Kimack also picked up her first collegiate assist on the play.
Purdue came out in the second half just as hot as it ended the first. Just 40 seconds after the break, sophomore Jessica Warren sent a pass from the middle third of the field over the defense where junior Kellie Phillips tracked it down inside the goal box. She made a great move to get past the keeper before knocking a shot into the open goal for the final tally of the game.
The win extended Purdue's unbeaten streak to three games, dating to its win over Morehead State on Aug. 22. It also gave the Boilermakers a 1-0 series advantage over the Bonnies.
Purdue returns to action this weekend when they take part in the Under Armour Invitational in Fullerton, Calif. They are set to play Cal State Fullerton Friday night at 7:30. Live results can be found at purduesports.com.