CHARLESTON, S.C.- It was juniors Erin Squires and Alexa Bernas who did the damage on Friday afternoon, as the two former teammates from Atlee High School each picked up a goal to lead the VMI women's soccer team to their first victory in three tries over their military rivals from The Citadel. The 2-0 win also gave the Keydets (1-0) their first win of the season, while the Bulldogs fell to 0-3 on the year.

Junior keeper Jessica Rheinlander (Manassas, Va./Forest Park) was credited with four saves in her first shutout of the season, including two in the opening ten minutes. After the opening flurry, the two former Atlee Raiders combined to give the Keydets a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, as Squires (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) was taken down in the box on a run and Bernas (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) hammered home the ensuing penalty kick.

Each team attempted three shots in the first half, but the Keydets kept the pressure on by outshooting their opponents 7-4 in the second period. However, it wasn't until the 88th tick of the clock that the team scored an insurance goal, as Squires received the ball just past the center line and took off with a 1-on-1 against the Bulldog keeper, Brit Bunnell. Squires collected the first goal of her career from 25 yards out to ensure the historic victory.

"Today was exactly what you would expect from a Citadel-VMI game," said head coach Bryan Williams, who improves to 1-1 against the Bulldogs. "There was a lot of physical play all over the field. We were able to get some good shots early, but their keeper stepped up and played well for them. Jessica Rheinlander had an outstanding game for us, I was really pleased with her play. Celine Ziobro also did a great job on the backline to limit their opportunities, as did Jessica Robbins. We were very close on a few more opportunities up front, as Audrey Falconi just missed finding Alexa Bernas for another goal. But overall, just a great team effort for us to come on the road and get this win that we were looking for over The Citadel."

The contest saw VMI whistled for 15 of the game's 25 fouls, while only one yellow card was handed out. The Citadel was called offsides four times to the Keydets one, and the visitors collected all four corner kicks in the contest.

VMI takes a week off before once again hitting the road, as a trip to New York City awaits the team. There they will take on Wagner on Friday afternoon before clashing with Manhattan on Sunday morning.