LEXINGTON, Va.- A pair of players from Virginia provided the only goal of the afternoon, as Navy defeated VMI 1-0 in non-conference women's soccer action on a steamy afternoon at Patchin Field.
The Midshipmen (4-2-1) saw Williamsburg native Anastasia Abid drop back a perfect pass on the left-side of the box for Yorktown native Christine Calderon, who fired home the game-winner in the 72nd minute. The Keydets (2-3) had several chances throughout the final 18 minutes of the game, but couldn't come up with the equalizer.
“I told the team that we should feel very good about how we did against this team, and what this team is and what it has been in the past,” VMI head coach Bryan Williams said in referencing the two-time defending Patriot League Champions from Navy. “For us to, for the second-straight year, come up a goal short certainly hurts, but we it also makes a statement about where we are now, because that's something that certainly wasn't here just a couple of years ago.”
Navy held a 13-8 advantage on the shots total, however, VMI held a 3-1 lead in corner kicks, indicative of the Keydets' offensive opportunities in the match. Keydet freshman Olivia Moore accounted for three of the team's eight shots, including two on goal.
A scoreless first half featured an evenly-played match, with each team controlling play for extended periods. Despite being out-shot 6-4 at intermission, the Keydets were able to sustain pressure on their attacking third of the field throughout the period.
The substitution game became a factor as the contest continued into the second half, as Navy ran out ten bench players in all, compared to only four subs for VMI. Each team was coming off of a Friday afternoon contest.
Senior keeper Lizzie Barnes made four saves to preserve the shutout for Navy, while sophomore keeper Heidi Beemer made five saves for the Keydets.
The match was the second all-time meeting between the two teams after Navy scored a 2-1 win over the Keydets in Annapolis last season.
“I felt like this was a far better effort against them than what we had last year,” said Williams. “The outcome was definitely in question throughout the match, whereas last year, it was a different kind of match. I'm proud of this team and they continue to surprise me. I think this game will help us in going into our games in Arizona this weekend against the competition out there. It's certainly going to make people think twice about us.”
VMI returns to action this weekend, traveling to Flagstaff, Ariz. to participate in the Northern Arizona University Mountain Classic. They will take on the host Lumberjacks on Friday evening, before playing Boise State on Sunday. Navy returns home to begin a ten-match homestand, welcoming Mount St. Mary's to Annapolis on Friday evening.
Keydet Quick Hits
- The Keydets have allowed no more than one goal in each contest this season, putting together a goals-against-average of 0.78. Last year, the Keydets set a new school record with a 1.81 GAA.
- VMI drops to 8-3-1 in their last 12 non-conference matches at Patchin Field.
- Each of VMI's three losses this season have been by a 1-0 score.
