#22 Tartans Open Season with 1-0 Victory

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – A goal midway through the second half propelled the Carnegie Mellon University women's soccer team to a season-opening victory in the Carnegie Mellon DoubleTree Tartan Cup on Friday, September 1, as the 22nd-ranked Tartans topped Frostburg State University, 1-0.

The Tartans put three shots on goal through the first 45 minutes. All three came in the final 10 minutes of the half but Jenny Bullers was there to stop each one for Frostburg.

In the 38th minute, Frostburg's Danielle Ferris watched as a header sailed just high of the crossbar after Emily Lehman's cross was sent to the middle of the six-yard box.

The Tartans took control in the second period with their first shot coming 32 seconds after the whistle when freshman Kristen Chong (Fullerton, Calif. / Troy) fired a shot on net that Bullers stopped. Less than a minute later, senior Tori Iatarola (West Dundee, Ill. / Loyola Academy) had a shot turned away by Bullers.

In the 61st minute, a shot by senior Haili Adams (Kirkland, Wash. / Juanita) hit the right post before junior Katja Bracklemanns-Puig's (Randolph, N.J. / Randolph) shot in the 63rd minute was just high.

Less than a minute after entering the pitch, junior Kaily Bruch (Glenview, Ill. / Glenbrook South) connected on a left-footed shot to the upper left corner, giving the Tartans the goal they needed. Freshman Ashley Akin (Minnetonka, Minn. / Hopkins) collected the ball to the left of the 18-yard box and centered a pass to Bruch who took a controlled touch to her left before curling the shot past Bullers.

Two more shots for the Tartans were stopped by Bullers, as the Tartans went on for the 1-0 win.

Freshman Carolyn Botz (St. Louis, Mo. / Micds) earned the win in goal for the home team, not having the make a save.

The Tartans will continue the season Saturday when they host Bridgewater College at 6:30 p.m. in the final game of the DoubleTree Tartan Cup.

Post game interview with Kaily Bruch and Ashley Akin