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Women?s Soccer Scores 3-1 Over Delaware State

LEXINGTON, Va.- The VMI women's soccer team will take the best start in their program's history into Big South Conference play after defeating Delaware State 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field. The Keydets improve to 3-2 as they approach their League opener, taking on High Point Wednesday evening on the road.

The Keydets picked up goals from three different players on the afternoon, as each of the scores came unassisted. Sophomore Megan Strand (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) tallied her second goal of the season from 25 yards out on a free kick near the left sideline in the 19th minute to give the Keydets a 1-0 lead, the only goal of the first half. In the 55th minute, junior Alexa Bernas (Mechanicsville, Va.) was fouled in the box, and senior Karen Bill (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) converted the ensuing penalty kick for what turned out to be her second game-winner of the last three contests. Freshman Audrey Falconi (Las Vegas, Nev./Centennial) then scored her first collegiate goal in the 65th minute, as she just poked the ball past the goalkeeper on a sliding attempt near the right post.

Delaware State (2-6) prevented the shutout in the 73rd minute, as freshman Stephanie Ridener (Coral Springs, Fla./J.P. Taravella) converted a free kick chance from 20 yards out for her second goal of the season. Hornet goalkeeper Tara McQueen was credited with 11 saves in the loss, while a pair of keepers saw action for VMI. Junior Jessica Rheinlander (Manassas, Va./Forest Park) played the opening half, recording a pair of saves, while freshman Kathleen Underwood (Spotsylvania, Va./Courtland) allowed the lone DSU goal in the contest.

“I was very proud of how we played today,” said head coach Bryan Williams. “We stayed on our tactical game that we had worked on all week, and were able to create numerous opportunities. The next step will be finishing on all of those great opportunities created by our midfielders. It seemed like everybody put some good balls forward for us. But probably equally as important as our success on the attacking end was our play on the backline. I feel like we got great halves out of each of our goalkeepers as well today. Now we're just looking forward to getting into the Big South schedule with High Point and Winthrop this week.”

In the contest, the Keydets held the advantage in shots (31-7), corner kicks (11-0) and fouls (13-10). Each team was whistled for three offsides calls.

The Keydets return to action on Wednesday evening, when they travel to North Carolina to take on High Point at 7 p.m. Delaware State will also play next on Wednesday, as they host Goldey Beacom at 7 p.m.

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