No. 21 Rebels Coast to Soccer Shutout of Jacksonville

Sept. 19, 2003

Final Stats

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Ole Miss' first soccer match away from Oxford was an easy one, as the 21st-ranked Rebels coasted to a 4-0 victory over Jacksonville Friday as part of the Nike Seminole Classic.

Ole Miss remains among the few unbeaten and untied teams in the nation with a 7-0 record. The Rebels' seven-game winning streak also marks their longest ever to open a season.

Friday's first 45 minutes against the Dolphins (2-4) might have been Ole Miss' best half of the season. The Rebels enjoyed a 3-0 lead at halftime with a 19-0 advantage on shots and 8-0 edge on corner kicks.

Ashley Ferree took over the team-lead in goals with her fifth of the year to open the scoring at the 30:41 mark. The freshman forward controlled the rebound of a deflected Brittney Potts attempt and connected from in front of the net.

Off the bench, Hillary Beckman and Laura Price each notched her first career goal to continue the Rebel attack. Beckman, a sophomore forward, drove in one-on-one for a 12-yard score, after Kristal Menard had sent the ball ahead of the defense. Less than two minute before the break, Price, a junior forward, struck from directly in front following a Leigh Barrow endline cross.

In the 62nd minute, freshman Emily Brown extended the Ole Miss lead with a close shot in the box after excellent passing from Menard and Karen Hall. It was Brown's third goal of the season.

Seniors Brittany Gillespie and Heather Lea Hopson combined on the shutout for the Rebels, who have outscored their opposition 29-2 this year with five blankings.

"Our depth really showed tonight, as our first three goals all came off the bench," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "Our challenge was to stay focused and preserve the shutout. We did an outstanding job of possessing and preventing their key players from being effective."

Ole Miss faces one of its toughest tests yet Sunday against tournament host and perennial power Florida State (3-4). It will be a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament first round bout in Tallahassee, in which the Seminoles prevailed 2-0 en route to a Sweet 16 appearance.

"Our focus now turns to FSU," said Holeman, who will be going for career coaching victory No. 100 on Sunday. "This is a non-conference match that we've had highlighted. Even though they're not recognized in the polls, we know they are one of the best teams in the country."

Game time is set for 2 p.m. ET at Seminole Soccer Complex, and the match will be televised regionally on the Sunshine Network.

RebelsCalendar

Next Event

Team Stats

AAS-HANSSEN Ranveig

HERLIHY Dianne

BORSCHEL Jenny

The University of Mississippi Athletics