Kirkman's Two Tallies Help Lead Women's Soccer Over Lees-McRae

SALISBURY, NC -- Freshman Mary Kirkman (Burlington, NC/Williams HS) had a pair of goals to help Catawba knock off visiting Lees-McRae 3-1 in women's soccer action on Wednesday night at Frock Field.  The Catawba Indians improve to 9-6, while the Bobcats, ranked ninth in the Southeast Region, fall to 8-5-1.

Kirkman got Catawba off quickly, scoring in the fifth minute.  Amy Iwanicki (Calgary, Alberta, CANADA/St. Francis HS/Tennessee-Martin) slotted a through ball to Kirkman who tallied from about 12 yards out.  Catawba kept that lead through the break before Kirkman and Iwanicki teamed again in the 57th minute.

Lees-McRae cut the margin to 2-1 in the 74th minute as MaryBeth Sullivan (Greensboro, NC) got to a loose ball and poked it over Catawba keeper Bethany Davis (Salisbury, MD/Parkside HS).  The Lady Indians came right back 45 seconds later to regain their two-goal margin.  Athena Bless (Asheboro, NC/SW Randolph HS) knocked in a corner kick from Taylor Arrowood (Matthews, NC/Weddington HS).

Catawba was out-shot 18-8 by the Bobcats with a 12-5 edge on goal.  Davis stood tall as she recorded 11 saves filling in for Angelica Pawlowski (Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman HS), who is on leave playing for Poland in the UEFA U-19 European qualifiers.  Kaitlyn Briggs (Oviedo, FL) had a pair of saves for the Bobcats.

Catawba returns to conference action on Saturday as it hosts Lincoln Memorial at 5 p.m. with a chance to host a first-round tournament match on the line.