ORANGEBURG, SC – The South Carolina State soccer team (1-0) opened its 2009 campaign with a 3-0 shutout Friday of Southern Virginia (0-1), the reigning United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Champion before a record crowd of almost 300 at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.

            SC State led 2-0 at the half and added a third goal early in the second period for the final margin in giving second-year head coach Glad Bugariu only his third victory as Lady Bulldog coach. His 2008 team finished 2-10-2.

            “It's (the victory) a start,” said Bugariu following the victory. “We have a lot of work to do, and as a team, we had some good moments and some not so good moments. But we are a developing team.

            “With it being our first game,” he continued, “We had some early jitters but we settled down and scored some goals. I think we created a lot of chances.”

            In fact, Bugariu's team, which includes 16 newcomers among the 21 players on the roster, had 27 shots on goal to just two for the Knights.

            Newcomer Brooke Ehinger, a transfer from Long Beach City College, had seven of the Lady Bulldog attempts, scoring one goal and assisting on a second.

            Ehinger gave SC State a 1-0 lead which she nailed a goal from the left side at 41:39 of the first period. She also had a hand in the team's second goal, when her penalty kick caromed off Knight goalie Mariah Flake and Lady Bulldog freshman Alejandra Chirino knocked it through for a 2-0 SC State edge at 10:14 of the first period. Junior Sasha Bender scored SC State's final goal at 41:31 of the second period.

            The 295 persons in attendance -- mostly students, although one parent flew in from Alaska – were among the most boisterous crowd ever to witness a home SC State soccer contest.

            “The crowd was fantastic,” said Bugariu. “It's the best crowd I've had at a game in my coaching career. I wish we could have that every game.”

            SC State resumes its schedule Tuesday when the Lady Bulldogs host The Citadel in a 7:30 p.m. match. The Lady Bulldogs will be looking for their first-ever win against The Citadel.

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