LEXINGTON, Va.- The VMI women's soccer team, trailing 2-0 at halftime, surrendered four second-half goals against the Charleston Southern Lady Buccaneers Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field, dropping the match by a 6-0 count. Amanda Berrios led the way offensively for the Keydets with four shots on the day.
Charleston Southern (9-4-1, 3-0-1) jumped on the board in the opening minute of play, as the top offensive player in the Big South, Marky Boyce, scored her first goal of the day 25 seconds into the contest on a helper from Toni Lashley.
In the eighth minute, the Keydets (2-12, 1-3) nearly knotted the contest, as Berrios took a pass inside the 18, firing a right-footed shot that hit the left post of the frame, but took a Charleston Southern bounce that was stopped by keeper Amy Arroyo to keep the score at 1-0 and thwart VMI's top chance of the afternoon.
The Keydets followed with another quality opportunity six minutes later, as Kacey Hall fired a shot from 30-yards out that sailed narrowly wide of the right post at the 14:21 mark.
Charleston Southern would earn its second goal of the contest in the 40th minute, as Morgann Wood scored her first goal of the season for the Buccaneers from inside the 18, beating VMI keeper Angela Redmond to stretch the Lady Buc lead to 2-0.
Heading into the half, Charleston Southern held an 18-5 shot advantage. VMI used a trio of corner kicks to generate pressure in the finishing third, but were unable to convert on any of the opportunities.
The second half was all Charleston Southern, as the Lady Bucs tallied a quartet of goals en route to the 6-0 victory. A handful of VMI opportunities littered the frame, with Berrios accounting for opportunities in the 68th and 78th minute, but was unable to convert. Additionally, a Kelly Morrison blast from 40-yards out with under 10 minutes remaining sailed narrowly over the crossbar to keep the score 6-0.
"They are a very strong, well organized team, like always," said VMI head coach Bryan Williams. "The first half, besides giving up two poor goals, we ran with them for the most part. The second half was disappointing that we didn't step up and put forth a better effort, but I certainly appreciate the effort that we gave. I am proud of the way that we played today."
For Charleston Southern, Arroyo made a pair of saves, while Redmond, Heather Haag and Heidi Beemer combined to make 10 saves for the Keydets. In total, Charleston Southern held a 33-10 shot advantage and a 6-3 corner margin.
The Keydets return to action on Fri., Oct. 15 as the squad travels to Boiling Springs, N.C. to take on Gardner-Webb. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start. The Lady Bucs host UNC Ashville on Oct. 16, in an early 11 a.m. start.
