Samford Women's Soccer Defeats Tennessee Tech 2-0

Samford University secured a 2-0 victory over Tennessee Tech in women’s soccer on Friday at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium in Homewood, Alabama. Samantha De Luca scored both goals for the Bulldogs, with assists from Mary-Ainsley Alack and Ryann Weber, leading the team to a decisive home-field win.

Offensive Efficiency at Samford Track

The match was defined by Samford’s consistent pressure on the Tennessee Tech defense throughout both halves. According to the box score provided by Samford University Athletics, the Bulldogs maintained a significant offensive advantage, recording 22 total shots compared to Tennessee Tech’s seven. Of those attempts, Samford managed 11 shots on goal, forcing Tennessee Tech goalkeeper Laila McNamee to record nine saves during her 90 minutes of play.

Samford broke the scoreless tie in the 29th minute when Samantha De Luca connected on a pass from Mary-Ainsley Alack. The Bulldogs maintained that 1-0 lead into the halftime break, having outshot the visitors 12 to 3 during the first period. The intensity remained high as the teams returned to the field for the second half.

Securing the Lead

The Bulldogs extended their lead early in the second period. Just over a minute and a half after the restart, at the 46:34 mark, De Luca found the back of the net for the second time of the evening. This goal was assisted by Ryann Weber, effectively sealing the 2-0 result for Samford.

While Tennessee Tech attempted to rally, they struggled to penetrate the Samford defense. Peyton Hull, the Samford goalkeeper, played the full 90 minutes and recorded four saves to preserve the shutout. The Bulldogs’ defensive unit limited Tennessee Tech to only four shots on goal, preventing any significant threat to the lead in the closing stages of the match.

Samford Women's Soccer Defeats Tennessee Tech 2-0 — Photo: fightingirish.com

Statistical Breakdown

The disparity in offensive production was evident across several key metrics. Samford earned five corner kicks throughout the contest, while Tennessee Tech was limited to two. The Bulldogs’ ability to generate sustained attacks kept Tennessee Tech on the defensive for much of the evening, as indicated by the total shot count.

Team	Total Shots	Shots on Goal	Goals	Saves
Samford	22	11	2	4
Tennessee Tech	7	4	0	9

Match Logistics and Personnel

The match took place in Homewood, Alabama, drawing on the depth of both rosters as coaches utilized multiple substitutions to manage player fatigue. For Samford, players including Martha Bishop, Brooklyn Miller, and Mary-Ainsley Alack saw significant time on the pitch, contributing to the team’s high-volume shooting strategy. Tennessee Tech also cycled through its bench, with players like Mayo Kawashima, Elena Lizarralde Arano, and Ashley Wood entering the game in the second half to provide fresh legs.

Despite the physical nature of the game, which saw several fouls called against both sides, Samford maintained control of the tempo. The match concluded with no further scoring, confirming the 2-0 final result. This performance highlights the Bulldogs’ current form as they continue their season schedule, with fans and local followers tracking the team’s progress through official university sports portals.