31 August 2006

Wallace State Soccer Team Wins Home Opener

HANCEVILLE--The Wallace State (Hanceville) soccer team won their home opener on Thursday, defeating Holmes Community College (Miss.) 3-1.

"The little things went right today," said Wallace State Lions coach Barry Spitzer. "Our skillfulness showed even though Holmes was able to keep the game to a slower pace than we like to play it."

All of the goals in the game were scored in the first half of play.

The Lions first goal came in the 26th minute when a corner kick by Jeremy Brown (Athens H.S.) was headed into the back of the net by Hans Kagia (Homewood H.S.).

Wallace State scored again in the 29th minute, this time on a double assist by Alpha Richards (Erwin H.S.) and Justin Pino (John Carroll H.S.) to Kagia.

That goal immediately followed Holmes's only goal, which was scored seconds earlier in the 29th minute.

David Southwick (Hewitt Trussville H.S.) scored Wallace State's final goal on a free kick in the 31st minute.

Goalkeeper Kolby Lawrence (Cullman H.S.) had six saves in the game. "We're really proud of the job Kolby's done for us," said Spitzer.

"This was a great way to open at home," he said. "It was a good atmosphere, we debuted our new P.A. system, and the fan support was phenomenal."

The Lions will play at the South Georgia College Labor Day Tournament Sept. 2-4, where they'll face South Georgia and the College of Southern Maryland.

Their next home game is set for Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. against Hiwassee.

For more information about Wallace State soccer, visit www.wallacestate.edu <http://www.wallacestate.edu/> .

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 PHOTOS:

1) Wallace State forward Michael Gallagher watches the action at
center field.

2) Midfielder Frederick Okyere delivers the ball downfield.

3) Midfielders John Waits (17) and Mark Lynas (5) battle with
Holmes midfielders for control of the ball.

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  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8181
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu