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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
1-0
Saint Louis
0-1
Rebels Down Saint Louis 3-1 In Season Opener
8/17/2012 | Soccer
Aug. 17, 2012
OXFORD, Miss. - Junior Mandy McCalla scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute as Ole Miss (1-0) rallied to defeat Saint Louis (0-1) by a score of 3-1 in the season-opener for both teams. The Rebels claimed the win in front of 1,311 fans - the fourth largest attendance in school history.
McCalla scored off an assist from junior Erin Emerson to push the Rebels in front for the first time of the night after trailing 1-0 at the half. Ole Miss notched all three goals in the second half of play as part of a furious comeback against the Billikens.
"We had a lot of nerves early, and give credit to Saint Louis for absolutely taking it to us and out-playing us in the first half," said Ole Miss head coach Matt Mott. "The speed was a little different for the freshman after not having an exhibition game, but once we got into the second half and settled in, we took control of the game."
The Rebels out-shot the Billikens 18-to-8, with McCalla, Jennifer Miller and Rafaelle Souza all recording four shots on the night. Sophomore goalkeeper Kelly McCormick played the full 90 minutes in goal and recorded four saves in the outing.
Saint Louis got on the board first, scoring in the 24th minute of the first half when Maddie Gebauer scored off a cross from Linday Elking in the six yard box. Ole Miss had eight shots in the half, but was unable to convert and went into halftime down by one.
The Rebels came out in the second half and went to work, scoring three unanswered goals to rally for the win.
Maddie Cunningham got Ole Miss on the board in the 60th minute to tie the game at one. Freshman Sara Coleman sent a corner kick past the far post before Souza headed the ball back toward the goal, squaring it up for the Cunningham header.
McCalla put the Rebels in the lead for the first time with her goal before Souza capped the scoring with her first goal of the season in the 87th minute. Souza's goal came on a breakaway as she beat the goalkeeper one vs. one and sent the shot in to the far post.
Ole Miss returns to action on Sunday, facing off against Middle Tennessee State at 6 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
GEBAUER, Maddie (1)
Assisted By: ELKING, Lindsay
Off cross in the 6 yard box
23:49
Maddie Cunningham (1)
Assisted By: Sara Coleman , Mandy McCalla
Double assist set up the header inside b
59:16
Mandy McCalla (1)
Assisted By: Erin Emerson
Close range shot in box.
81:33
Rafaelle Souza (1)
1 vs 1 beat the keeper far post
86:54
