Schmedes Scores Four in Charlotte's 7-0 Season Finale Win
(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Lady Eagles hosted the Western Virginia Illusion tonight in the Lady Eagles regular season finale at Restart Field. Kelly Schmedes led Charlotte with four goals and one assist in the 7-0 shutout over the Illusion. The Lady Eagles finish off the regular season with a 11-2-1 record for 34 points and second seed in the Atlantic Division.
West Virginia brought just ten players to Restart Field tonight, and the Lady Eagles took control right from the start. Charlotte scored the first goal of the match in the second minute of play. Nikki Lyons raced down the right side of the pitch, with Illusion defenders sprinting back to catch up. Lyons drove a cross into the middle for Kelly Schmedes. Schmedes and West Virginia goalkeeper Andrea Kominski got to the cross at the same time, but Kelly Schmedes came up from the skirmish with possession and poked it into the goal for the 1-0 lead.
Charlotte continued to pressure with more good opportunities from Schmedes, Lyons, and Rife. In the 20th minute Kelly Schmedes scored her second of the match. This time it was Abby Crumpton who set up the goal. Crumpton made a beautiful through pass forward onto the run of Schmedes. Schmedes scored with a right-footed shot placed just inside the right post with a bending ball.
Just three minutes later Schmedes added another for a hat trick on the evening. Kelly's third goal came off the corner kick from the left side. Tina Murphy took the kick and Schmedes connected with the ball to redirect it on goal. Kominski attempted a save on the shot, but could not keep it from crossing the goal line.
Nikki Lyons scored the fourth Charlotte goal of the match in the 32nd minute. Christy Rife gained possession of the ball in the midfield and touched it left to Nikki Lyons. Lyons beat a defender and beat Kominski with a shot inside the right post from 15 yards out.
Ten minutes later Christy Rife put the Lady Eagles up 5-0. Charlotte attacked down the right and moved the ball to Kelly Schmedes. Schmedes quickly touched the ball on to the far post for Christy Rife, who scored with a shot inside the right post.
Ashley Swinehart scored the final goal of the first half just a minute before the halftime whistle. Tina Murphy controlled the ball in the midfield and touched to the left side for Ashley. Swinehart advanced toward goal and scored with a bending shot to the far post for the 6-0 first half lead.
The Charlotte Lady Eagles started the second half much like the first with a Kelly Schmedes goal in the 46th minute. Rookie forward Laura Novikoff earned the assist on the goal with a nice run down the right side. Novikoff crossed the ball into the middle for Schmedes who turned on the defender and scored with a shot inside the far post for the 7-0 lead.
The Lady Eagles wrapped up the regular season tonight holding the second position in the Atlantic Division standings with a record of 11-2-1 for 34 points. Charlotte is headed to the Eastern Conference semi-final match next. The Lady Eagles will face the top seeded team in the Eastern Conference Northeast Division.
Tomorrow night, Saturday, July 19th the Charlotte Eagles pro team will host the Real Maryland Monarchs at Restart Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 pm. Tickets for the match can be purchased at the gate. $10 for Adults, $7 Students (6-18), Kids 5 and under get Free admission.
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