Women?s Soccer Scores 3-0 Win over Howard

Women's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Beach?s Last Minute Heroics Leads Women?s Soccer Past Richmond, 1-0

LEXINGTON, Va.- Junior Chrissy Beach scored with less than a minute remaining in regulation to give VMI their record-setting eighth win of the season with a 1-0 victory against Richmond on in non-conference women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field.  The Keydets improve to 8-8-1 on the season, while the Spiders fall to 10-7-1.

With right at a minute remaining in the contest, Richmond keeper Melissa Pacheco came off her line to deal with a cross from the right flank.  Pacheco jumped to handle the ball just outside of the six-yard box on the far post, but could not secure it as VMI's Olivia Moore pressured her.  Beach then stepped up to knock home the ball into the right-side of the net, as none of the Spider defenders in the box could thwart Beach's sixth goal of the season.

“The game today showed a lot about our character, to be able to come back after a long trip and a tough loss on Friday night at Coastal Carolina, then to come out today and beat a quality team like Richmond,” said VMI head coach Bryan Williams.  “It's a terrific feeling, I'm so pleased and so proud of how we played.  We didn't back down or give up.  We had several players that were stretched today in different positions or had to cover for someone else, and we were able to respond to what they threw at us and even create offensive opportunities.”

In an exciting match that featured end-to-end action throughout, the Spiders held advantages in shots (22-9), shots on goal (10-5) and corner kicks (7-2).  Keydet keeper Angela Redmond made a season-high 10 saves to preserve her third shutout of the season, while Pacheco made four stops in the Spider net.

The Keydets' eighth win of the season not only broke the team's 2005 record of seven wins, but also extended the school record for shutouts in a season to six.  VMI has now allowed only one goal over the past 318:42.

“Now, to be at 8-8-1 with a week remaining in the season is an incredible feeling,” said Williams.  “We're excited about how we could finish and will continue to take things one game at a time from here on out.  We're looking forward to the Presbyterian trip and challenging them.”

The Spiders turned on the pressure early, hitting the crossbar no less than three times in the opening half while Kris Lescalleet's header in the 20th minute sailed just over the goal.  Richmond out-shot the Keydets 10-4 in game's opening 45 minutes.

The Keydets play their final road match of the regular season on Wednesday, traveling to take on Presbyterian at 7 p.m.

Keydet Quick Hits
?    VMI improves to 6-2-1 at Patchin Field this season, and have now outscored opponents 22-7 in their nine home games.
?    The all-time series between VMI and Richmond is now split at 1-1 after Richmond scored a 2-0 win at home against the Keydets last season.
?    VMI currently boasts a goals-against-average of 1.15, while last season, the team set a school record with a 1.81 GAA.

HEAD COACH BRYAN WILLIAMS- “The one thing that is becoming very apparent for this team is that we have an ability to find consistency in our play, which was not the case in years past.  I think the player of the game for us was Kathleen Underwood.  She stepped into a role where she had to replace Sarah Strand in the defensive midfield, and she worked up and down the field, giving up her body for the team.  She really did an awesome job.  The goal was well-deserved for Chrissy and the rest of our girls, we really had an offensive flurry there in the final minutes, and to find a way to get a goal like that is fitting.  Richmond is a very good team, well-coached with solid players.  Growing up in Richmond and now being at VMI, for us to be able to beat the University of Richmond is a very big thing.”

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Players Mentioned

Chrissy Beach

#7 Chrissy Beach

F
5' 9"
Sophomore
Angela Redmond

#0 Angela Redmond

GK
5' 6"
Freshman
Kat Underwood

#0 Kat Underwood

GK
5' 6"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Chrissy Beach

#7 Chrissy Beach

5' 9"
Sophomore
F
Angela Redmond

#0 Angela Redmond

5' 6"
Freshman
GK
Kat Underwood

#0 Kat Underwood

5' 6"
Sophomore
GK