Women's Soccer 10/4/2009 5:00:00 PM VMIKeydets.com

Women?s Soccer Makes It Two In a Row with 2-0 Win Over UNC Asheville

LEXINGTON, Va. - Two proved to be the magic number for the VMI women's soccer team on Sunday. With their second 2-0 win of the weekend, the Keydets improved to 2-0 in the Big South, dispatching UNC Asheville for the second time in as many seasons. The win moved the Keydets to 4-6 on the season while the Bulldogs fall to 3-5-1 overall and 0-2 in league play.

The shutout win was VMI's fourth of the season, as goalkeepers Angela Redmond (three saves) and Heidi Beemer (five saves) combined for the blanking. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, entered the contest leading the Big South with a 0.85 goals-against-average and surrendered multiple goals for just the third time this season. The result also marked the first game this season for the Bulldogs that was decided by more than a single goal.

"What a great way to end an emotional weekend," said VMI head coach Bryan Williams. "It's a tremendous feeling being 2-0 and beating a quality opponent in UNC Asheville. They really stepped up in the second half and we had to weather their attacks. We had a strong performance from our goalkeepers and our back line in dealing with their attack and we did a good job of defending corner kicks."

Fans didn't have to wait long for the action to start, as the first shot of the game put the hosts up 1-0. In the first minute of play, Simone Jimenez's pass from the left found Sarah Strand at the top of the box, and the sophomore midfielder fired a laser to the far post for her first goal of the season, coming just 59 seconds into the contest.

"I was extremely pleased with Sarah's play today," said Williams. "She had a terrifically driven, low shot for her first goal of the season. It was a great strike that came at a terrific time, just 59 seconds in. It put them under pressure right away and changed the game for us."

The Keydets continued to control play for much of the first half, wrapping up the period with a 10-4 advantage in shots and a 4-2 lead in corner kicks.

VMI had to withstand a spirited Asheville attack throughout the second half. Led by sophomore Leilani Halkiotis' three shots, the Bulldogs out-shot the Keydets by an 11-7 margin, forcing Beemer to make five stops.

VMI, however, found an insurance goal in the 88th minute, when freshman Christelle Ndongo patiently corralled a Chrissy Beach pass then sent a low-liner to the far post for her first collegiate goal.

"Christelle's goal couldn't have come at a better time or for a better person," said Williams. "She has worked hard all season and had the patience to wait and set up a brilliant score. Hopefully, this will be the first of many for our Cameroonian freshman."

For the match, VMI held a narrow 17-15 advantage in shots and a 7-6 lead in corner kicks. The Keydets were also called for 12 fouls to the Bulldogs' eight and were whistled offsides four times to Asheville's three.

Veronica Lazar made four saves in the Bulldog net while her teammates also helped out by recording a team save in the 35th minute, when an Asheville defender knocked away an on-target header by Ndongo.

Coupled with VMI's 2-0 win over PC on Friday, the Keydets notched back-to-back shutouts of Big South opponents for just the second time in school history. The first occasion came last season, when the Keydets opened league play with a 2-0 win over Liberty on Sept. 24 and a 3-0 shutout of Winthrop last Oct. 1.

"This team has shown the ability to be very stingy," said Williams. "With the exception of our season opener against a strong George Mason squad, we've played quality competition and been able to restrict their attack. We've made opposing teams work to earn their goals. The teaming of our senior leaders, Audrey Falconi and Alexi Staton, along with Kelly Morrison and Jen Ball makes for a great combination on our back line. Sarah Strand has also stepped up at defensive midfield, and Kat Underwood and Gabby McCarron have each stepped in at times to help buffer what has been coming into the back. And of course, our junior keepers, Angela Redmond and Heidi Beemer, continue to do a fine job in goal."