(Cocoa Beach, FL) - The Charlotte Lady Eagles played game one of their two game Florida road trip tonight facing the Cocoa Expos. Charlotte and Cocoa each had their chances, but quality goalkeeping and trouble finishing resulted in a 0-0 tie.
The Lady Eagles had the better of the play in the first half out-shooting the Expos 6-4. Charlotte had two standout chances in the half, with the first coming at about the 20th minute. Darcel Mollon pushed around her defender on the right side with blazing speed and served a ball to the far post for Kelly Schmedes. Kelly tried to score on the volley but didn't connect with it solidly, sending the shot just wide of the goal.
Fifteen minutes later Darcel Mollon almost scored off the breakaway. She broke through the Cocoa Expos defense and pushed toward goal, as Expos goalkeeper Katie Fraine advanced to cut off the break. Mollon tried to push the ball through and into the net with a toe poke, but Fraine saved the shot, diving at Darcel's feet.
The Cocoa Expos picked up the pressure in the second half and controlled more of the play. The Expos would have taken the lead in about the 65th minute off a set piece if not for the quality save by Lady Eagles goalkeeper Laura Armstrong. Cocoa Beach's free kick shot attempt deflected off the wall and curled toward the upper right corner. Laura Armstrong dove to push the shot up and over the crossbar.
Five minutes later Charlotte had a chance off the corner kick. Lydia Vandenbergh made a nice serve from the corner, finding Deanna Bath. Bath got up for a header to the top corner, but Fraine was solid in goal once again and made the save.
The Cocoa Expos had one last chance in the last five minutes of the game, with one shot saved by Armstrong and a rebound attempt saved by the crossbar. The Expos out-shot Charlotte 13-7 in the second half, but the match remained scoreless.
The Charlotte Lady Eagles play game two of their Florida road trip on Saturday night taking on the Bradenton Athletics. Charlotte returns to home field action to face Bradenton again on Saturday, June 16th at Waddell Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:30pm and will be followed by the Charlotte Eagles pro soccer match at 8:00pm hosting the New Hampshire Phantoms. June 16th is also the night of the Charlotte Eagles 3v3 Cup, a 3v3 youth soccer tournament for boys and girls U8-U12 teams. More information and registration for the 3v3 Cup can be found at the Charlotte Eagles website: www.CharlotteEagles.com.
