NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University women's soccer team opened its 2009 season being shutout, 1-0, at Lipscomb, Friday. It was the season opener for both teams and the first of a three-game road trip for the Lady Govs.

Lipscomb found a hole early as Emily Longden netted the game's only goal in the 13th minute. The goal was the last of three shots fired in a four-minute span. The first two went wide, but Longden's beat the Austin Peay keeper for a lead that would stand.

“We gave up an early goal because of slopping defending,” Lady Govs head coach Kelley Guth said. “It was really physical game and our team didn't step up to the challenge. We're going to have to turn our attention onto the rest of the road trip and try to take what happened tonight and learn from it.”

The Lady Govs tested Lipscomb's freshman keeper Erin Zerio often. Junior Kellie Cannon led the Lady Govs with two shots on goal, while freshman Laurena Robinson managed an early shot that was saved. Austin Peay's final chance to score came following a Lipscomb yellow card, however, junior Samantha Northrup's shot sailed high.

Despite allowing the early goal, Austin Peay's defense managed well throughout the rest of the game. The Lady Govs maintained well in the box, preventing the Bisons from converting on any of their seven corner kicks – including four in the second half. The Lady Govs, conversely, had only one corner and it resulted in a foul.
 
The Lady Govs continue play on the road with a 4:30 p.m., Friday match against Missouri State at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.



-AP-