LEXINGTON, Va.- Freshman Olivia Moore scored three goals and sophomore keeper Angela Redmond collected VMI's third shutout of the season as the Keydets defeated Delaware State 5-0 on Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field.
Moore (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) notched a natural hat trick in the first half, scoring three straight goals for the Keydets (4-5) within an eight-minute span. Redmond (Fairfax Station, Va./Woodson), meanwhile, made five saves to preserve her third career shutout. The Hornets (2-6-1) were out-shot 34-8 in the contest after battling to a scoreless tie last season against VMI.
Junior Chrissy Beach put the home team on the board first in the 12th minute, finishing with one touch just in front of the goal after a cross by freshman Amanda Berrios. Moore then notched her seventh, eighth and ninth goals of the season in the 15th, 20th and 22nd minutes, with helpers coming from Berrios and Megan Strand.
Entering halftime with a 4-0 lead, VMI held a 21-3 advantage in shots and a 6-1 lead in corner kicks.
The Keydets continued their assault in the second half, as Megan Strand knocked in her second tally of the season in the 74th minute. The senior co-captain converted on a crossing pass from the left flank by Beach, pushing the margin to 5-0.
The Hornets would not go quietly, pressuring Redmond and the Keydet defense up until the very end. DSU had five shots in the second half, four of which came over the contest's final 30 minutes of play.
Moore matched her career high with ten shots, including six on target. Megan Strand was just behind with nine shots and five on goal.
VMI has not allowed a goal over the past 189:15, and has allowed only two goals this season in five home games. Overall, the Keydets have surrendered nine goals in nine games in 2008.
The Keydets continue their five-game homestand on Wednesday afternoon, playing host to Winthrop at 4 p.m. in a Big South Conference contest.
Keydet Quick Hits
? VMI now stands 15:34 short of the longest shutout streak in school history, achieved in early 2007.
? The Keydets currently boast a goals-against-average of 0.99. Last season, VMI set a school record with a 1.81 GAA.
? The game-winner for Chrissy Beach was the first of her career.
? Moore's nine goals are the second-most by a Keydet freshman, as she is approaching Colleen Redmond's 2003 total of 13. Her nine goals and 20 points also stand as the fourth-most in a single season by a Keydet.
? Moore has now scored a point in each of the past four games, matching a school record.
? The Keydets have now outscored their opponents 12-2 in the first half of games.
HEAD COACH BRYAN WILLIAMS- “We did exactly what I needed for us to do at the beginning of the game. I told the ladies that we needed to get on them in the first 20 minutes, and in the first 22 minutes, we scored four goals. Their goalkeeper was very aggressive and had great size. She came off of her line well and made it really difficult for us in the early minutes. I'm very proud of my ladies for figuring out how to beat her, by getting inside on her and finding the net.
“Olivia Moore really showed her ability as a goal-scoring threat for us with her three goals today. I was also pleased for Chrissy to start us off with the scoring. We seemed to be getting into one of those games early on where you do a lot of shooting but you don't score. She had a couple of opportunities before that one, but she got a great pass from Amanda right and finished nicely right in front of the net. I was also pleased for Megan to get her goal in the second half, she had been looking for that goal over the past several games now.
“Angela Redmond did a great job to get her second shutout of the year and the team's third shutout. Also, the back line play of Celine Ziobro and Kelly Morrison was very good today, along with Jennifer Ball and Alexi Staton, who had to step in for Audrey Falconi. “
