The University of Mississippi Athletics
Beckman Leads Ole Miss Past Alabama in Spring Soccer Finale
4/28/2003 | Soccer
April 28, 2003
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - Lindley Beckman netted the game-winning goal with 25 seconds remaining to push Ole Miss past Alabama Saturday, 1-0, in the Rebels' final spring soccer match.
Beckman ripped a 35-yard shot to the upper corner of the net at the 89:35 mark to cap an outstanding performance by the sophomore midfielder from Anchorage, Ky.
"Lindley was our player of the match," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "Every time she touched the ball, something positive happened. She had some excellent shots-on-goal and was outstanding on defense. It was a total team win, but Lindley was phenomenal."
The game was played on a neutral field in Orange Beach, Ala., which is the site of the 2003 SEC Championships.
The Rebels finish the spring season with a 7-1 record with all seven victories coming in shutouts. Among those were shutouts of Oklahoma State and SEC West rival Mississippi State in the inaugural Magnolia Cup battle. In addition, Ole Miss posted a perfect 8-0 mark at its own 7-aside tournament, with wins over squads from Memphis, Tulane, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State and Arkansas Little Rock.
Including split-squad play, Kelly Renie, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, was the Rebels' top goal scorer with 13, while fellow All-SEC first teamer Kristal Menard added 10. Freshman Brittney Potts connected on seven scores, and sophomore Karen Hall totaled six. Ashley Hanne and Lindley and Hillary Beckman added five apiece.
"The Alabama win was a great way to end a successful spring," Holeman said. "It gives us a lot of momentum heading into the fall. We're excited about all these players returning, as well as the newcomers on their way in."
The Rebels' first action of the fall will come in an exhibition match with Oklahoma Aug. 23 in North Little Rock, Ark. Ole Miss opens the regular season against South Alabama Aug. 29 in one of 13 home matches on the schedule.
