Women's Soccer Continues Road Swing at Mount

Women's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Notch Tie With Gardner-Webb, 1-1

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – A Christelle Ndongo goal in the first half gave the VMI Keydets an early lead, but the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs were able to find the equalizer in the 78th minute as the teams played to a 1-1 tie Friday night in Big South women's soccer action in Boiling Springs, N.C.

In the 26th minute, Amanda Berrios of VMI (2-12-1, 1-3-1) took possession deep in the GWU (3-8-3, 0-3) zone. She then played the ball across the box to Ndongo, who notched her first goal of the year on a shot from the top of the six-yard box. The Keydets would hold that lead until the 78th minute, when the Bulldogs took advantage of a Keydet red card and tied the game, accounting for the final margin.

The contest saw Gardner-Webb outshoot the Keydets 33-6, with the margin standing at 24-3 after the first period. VMI keeper Heidi Beemer made 10 saves in the tie, and 13 offside violations cost the Bulldogs.

The opening minutes of Friday's contest were played in the midfield, with the first shot coming at 9:09 from VMI's Carolyn Kenaley, a wide header try. Gardner-Webb notched the first of its shot tries in the 14th minute, but Beemer turned the try aside. The Keydet keeper would do the same on two more occasions in the next six minute, keeping the match scoreless, and the next VMI attack resulted in Ndongo's goal, the second score of her career.

The goal would be VMI's final shot of the half, but the home team only tried four more shots over the remainder of the period. Beemer stopped the lone try on frame, and the match went to halftime with VMI up, 1-0.

The home team came out with a flurry in the second half, trying five shots and earning three corner kicks in the first 14 minutes, but nothing came of those tries and the Keydets maintained their lead with 30 minutes to go. After another GWU shot was blocked at the 64-minute mark, VMI's Kacey Hall was assessed a red card, putting the Keydets down a player for the remainder of the contest.

The Bulldogs were finally able to take advantage in the 78th minute, as they earned the third of three consecutive corner kicks. Jordan Hodge kicked it to Megan Reimer, who headed the ball to Megan Tremblay for the game-tying goal.

Sarah Strand had VMI's final shot of regulation, a high attempt in the 80th minute, while Beemer stopped the Bulldogs' final shot on frame five minutes later, sending the match to overtime tied at 1.

The Keydets tested GWU keeper Chelsea Hearne 2:40 into the first overtime, but Berrios' shot was stopped. Beemer had a save of her own at 95:13, and neither team could put another shot on frame, meaning the match would go to a second overtime period. In that period, Beemer had her ninth and 10th saves of the match as Gardner-Webb put six shots in the air during the 10 minutes, but to no avail as the contest concluded in a 1-1 tie.

The tie was VMI's first of the year, and first since a 0-0 deadlock with South Carolina State in last year's regular season finale in Orangeburg, S.C.

VMI women's soccer will return to action Sunday, as the Keydets take on Winthrop in Rock Hill, S.C. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Heidi Beemer

#1 Heidi Beemer

GK
5' 10"
Senior
Amanda Berrios

#16 Amanda Berrios

M/F
5' 7"
Junior
Kacey Hall

#22 Kacey Hall

M/F
5' 5"
Sophomore
Carolyn Kenaley

#8 Carolyn Kenaley

MF
5' 3"
Senior
Christelle Ndongo

#2 Christelle Ndongo

F/D
6' 1"
Sophomore
Sarah Strand

#10 Sarah Strand

MF
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Heidi Beemer

#1 Heidi Beemer

5' 10"
Senior
GK
Amanda Berrios

#16 Amanda Berrios

5' 7"
Junior
M/F
Kacey Hall

#22 Kacey Hall

5' 5"
Sophomore
M/F
Carolyn Kenaley

#8 Carolyn Kenaley

5' 3"
Senior
MF
Christelle Ndongo

#2 Christelle Ndongo

6' 1"
Sophomore
F/D
Sarah Strand

#10 Sarah Strand

5' 9"
Junior
MF