Bucks inaugurate new field with win
The Motlow Bucks hosted the first home game in school history on their new field and beat Spartanburg Methodist 5-0 Saturday before a large and vocal crowd. The Bucks won their sixth consecutive game on Monday, beating visiting Wabash Valley College 2-1 and cutting the ribbon on their new pitch.
The Bucks will then play their next four games at home, beginning with Southwest Tennessee on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m.
Motlow 5 Spartanburg Methodist 0
Winchester freshman Libby Vincent got the Bucks on the scoreboard at the 20-minute mark, scoring on an unassisted shot to start the lead at 1-0. Vincent’s goal will forever be remembered as the first goal scored in a home soccer game. One minute before the first half ended, sophomore transfer Alba Embid scored on an assist from Knoxville freshman Tate Edgemon to give Motlow a 2-0 lead at intermission.
At the 63:22 mark, sophomore Ellie Kirk, from England, scored the first of two goals with an assist from Smyrna freshman Camden Prosser, the first of three assists by Prosser. Smyrna freshman Kinley Buena, a high school teammate of Prosser at Stewarts Creek, scored the fourth goal at the 78:53 mark. Kirk, assisted by Prosser, scored the final goal at 85:14.
The Bucks dominated the stats, taking 23 total shots to only three for the visitors. Motlow goalkeepers had one save each, with Germany’s Alina Arneth playing the first half and Manchester sophomore Lucy Riddle the second half. Motlow led in corner kicks 7-1.
Buena and Vincent both had three shots on goal, while Kirk had two. Buena led in total shots with six, and Kirk added four.
Motlow 2 Wabash Valley 1
Monday’s game was played under sunny skies at noon and was a defensive struggle that saw the Bucks close the door at the end to win their sixth consecutive game.
Vincent once again got Motlow on the scoreboard first, slamming in a goal at the 23:14 mark on an assist from Lebanon freshman Emma Whitefield. It took over 50 minutes of playing time before another score came, with Manchester sophomore Diana Ramirez scoring at the 75:40 mark on an assist from Florida sophomore Alexis McMath.
Wabash Valley avoided the shutout with a late goal at the 85:29 mark. Arneth played a scoreless first half at goalkeeper. Riddle played the second half at goalkeeper, notching two saves and allowing the one goal.
McMath took four shots to lead the Bucks, with Vincent shooting three times and Smyrna freshman Kinley Buena two. Seven different Motlow players had one shot on goal. The Bucks led in shots 16-6 and in corner kicks 3-0.
McMath leads the TCCAA in assists with four. Vincent is fourth in the league with 35 shots. Arneth is the top statistical goalkeeper in the conference, allowing just one goal with a .909 save percentage and a 0.18 goals-against average.
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