Women's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Radford Claims 4-1 Victory over Women?s Soccer

LEXINGTON, Va.- The VMI women's soccer team struck early, but Radford answered in a big way in claiming a 4-1 Big South Conference victory at Patchin Field on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Highlanders move to 4-6 overall and 2-1 in the Big South, while VMI falls to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in the League.

Junior forward Alexa Bernas tallied her second goal of the year in the eighth minute to give the Keydets the early lead, as she just beat Radford keeper Tara Oleartchick to a cross from freshman Audrey Falconi. However, RU answered with a pair of goals midway through the first half, as junior Megan Horan collected her second goal of the year in the 21st minute after her initial attempt was blocked and then added an assist four minutes later on a goal by sophomore McKenzie Vergara to put the visitors up 2-1.

That is how the game would stay until halftime, as the Highlanders held an 8-3 shot advantage at the break. Play would continue with few scoring opportunities until well into the second half, when Vergara notched her second goal of the day and sixth of the season in the 66th minute, as she booted home a Lisa Channon pass from inside the box to give RU an insurance goal at 3-1. Senior Lindsey Pendergraph added her first goal of the season in the 87th minute with Horan scoring her second helper of the day to provide the final margin.

“I was proud of how we played today and our effort,” said VMI head coach Bryan Williams. “We got on the board early, and I think that surprised them, and maybe even us a little bit. We were consistent all day on the attack, but they answered well and did a good job of coming back at us. Those two first-half goals that we allowed, we just didn't defend them very well. But I thought that Jessica Robbins did an outstanding job in the center for us, and Celine Ziobro and Megan Strand did very well along the back as well. Karen Bill did a very good job of controlling the middle for us and linking to Audrey Falconi, who is able to create and is a threat against anyone that we play. I see us continuing to improve as a team and I feel we will continue to get better through the end of the season.”

Overall, the Highlanders held a 17-8 advantage in shots, while the Keydets were awarded four corner kicks to RU's two. Each team was whistled for three offsides calls, while RU held a 9-6 advantage in fouls.

The Keydets return to action on Tuesday afternoon, as they host Liberty at 4:30 p.m. at Patchin Field. The Highlanders' next contest will also come against the Lady Flames, and will be played Friday night at Radford at 7 p.m.

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