LEXINGTON, Va.- Three goals in the game's opening nine minutes propelled Radford to a 4-1 win over VMI in Big South Conference women's soccer action on Wednesday afternoon at Patchin Field.

The Highlanders (7-0-3, 1-0-1 Big South) continued their best start in 15 years by surging to an early advantage against a Keydet (5-6-1, 2-1-1 Big South) that had surrendered only three goals at home this season. 

Radford jumped on the scoreboard only 76 seconds into the match, as freshman Ashley Johnson converted her seventh goal of the season on a double-assist from Latrice Lee and Jackie Cozza.  The visitors doubled that margin just over two minutes later, as junior Justine Dugger scored from inside the box on a helper by senior McKenzie Vergara.

Vergara scored an unassisted goal of her own in the ninth minute from the top of the box, pushing the visitors out in front by a 3-0 margin.

The Highlanders kept the pressure on throughout the first half, though the Keydets stepped up their play after Radford's opening salvo.  The visitors advanced the lead to 4-0 in the 37^th minute when freshman Melony Davis knocked home a free ball that had gone off of the crossbar on a shot by Cozza.

“Given the quality of their players, we were not physical with them and we did not play good defense inside,” said VMI head coach Bryan Williams.  “Give them credit, they made the most out of each ball they got in front of our net.  But again, we just didn't do what we needed to against them.”

After being out-shot in the first half by a 16-5 margin, VMI fought back to hold a 9-8 advantage in shots in the game's second half.  The Keydets' work paid off in the 89^th minute, when freshman Olivia Moore spoiled Radford's shutout attempt by scoring off of a deflection on an assist by A.J. Baker.

“I think that Olivia showed again that she is among the class of the Big South,” said Williams.  “She's great at making things happen, and I was pleased that she got her goal against them and deprived them of their shutout.  Chrissy Beach also had some great services that created something toward the end.  I thought that we did do a good job of holding it together and fighting in second half.”

VMI keeper Heidi Beemer was charged with four goals while making six saves before being relieved by Angela Redmond in the second half, who made four saves.  In the Radford net, Lisa Lubke shutout the Keydets over the opening 45 minutes, making three saves, while Alex Traughber allowed one goal while making six saves.