The University of Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Team Opens Spring Season with Unbeaten Weekend
3/2/2005 | Soccer
March 2, 2005
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Ole Miss soccer team kicked off its spring exhibition season with an undefeated weekend, blanking the Japan College All-Stars 6-0 and tying UAB 1-1 Saturday at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
Christine Liberto, a freshman from Charlotte, led the Rebels past the Japanese squad with two goals and an assist. Kelly Renie added two more scores, both times set up by Chrissy Strini.
Good passing from Liberto and Cori Mehan positioned Amy Gill for a goal just before halftime to put Ole Miss ahead 4-0 at the break. Brittney Potts tallied a goal and an assist in the second stanza, while Hillary Beckman and Elise Karlowicz also picked up assists.
In the late match, two-time Conference USA champion UAB jumped on top first, netting a goal midway through the second half. The Rebels answered with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation with Strini setting up Mary Robinson, and the match would finish knotted at 1-1.
"We've been training extremely hard, and it showed over both matches," said Rebel head coach Steve Holeman. "We're playing a new system, and the players adapted very well. As a team, we competed hard, and it made for a successful weekend."
Ole Miss continues its spring season Mar. 25 at the MLS Challenge, sponsored by the Mississippi United Soccer Club. The Rebels will take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at 4:30 p.m. CT at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland, Miss. The late match will feature MLS clubs the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and the Chicago Fire facing off at 7:30 p.m.
