Contributed
(August 29, 2010)

Junior Jana Yates scored with just over 20 minutes remaining in the match to give the No. 13 Lady Senators a physical 2-1 victory over Shorter on day two of the AUM Kickoff Classic on Saturday.

AUM led at the half, 1-0, thanks to the first goal of the season from senior Amber Elam in the 16th minute of the match. However, the Lady Hawks (0-1) rallied early in the second half to tie the score on a goal from freshman Kelli Davis and set the stage for Yates’ game-winner.

In the 69th minute, Yates took a pass from junior Heather Welch and lined a strike from 20-yards out to beat Shorter’s keeper Taylor Hays. As a result of the score, the Lady Senators improved to 2-0 on the season.

“I’m thankful we got the victory,” said head coach Jamey Newsome. “We certainly rallied behind one another to hang in there. It wasn’t our best soccer today, but sometimes you have to win ugly, and we were able to do that. I feel lucky that we did.”

The physical contest featured 12 fouls, including nine on the Lady Senators and one red card. Despite the rough play, AUM posted 10 more shots in the contest, connecting on 18 total shots compared to just eight for the Lady Hawks.

Senior Daisy Burnfield had five saves in goal, giving up just the goal to Davis on a deflected ball.

Elam and Yates combined for 10 of the 18 shots for the Lady Senators, while Welch and senior Christine DeVito each added two. Junior Kristen Mitchell added her first assist of the season.

“Shorter played a great game today with good coaching, and they deserve the victory today,” Newsome continued.

Next up for the Lady Senators is a contest against Embry-Riddle on Friday to kick off the AUM Capital City Classic. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m. at the AUM Soccer Complex.