Berrios Named to Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team

Women's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Women's Soccer Tops UNC Asheville, 3-2

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Goals by Sarah Strand, Christina Gontarski and Amanda Berrios boosted the VMI Keydets to a 3-2 win over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in Big South women's soccer action, contested Sunday afternoon in Asheville, N.C.

Strand got the Keydets on the board in the 10th minute, notching her second score of the season from five yards out off a cross from Simone Jimenez. VMI would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way, as Gontarski scored in the 43rd minute and Berrios added her second goal of the season, a needed insurance goal in the second half, to give VMI (2-10, 1-1 BSC) its second win of the year. Asheville fell to 1-9 and 0-2 in Big South action.

On a cloudy, 55 degree day in Asheville, the Keydets came out quickly. Jen Ball and Berrios both tested Asheville keeper Megan Dent in the opening five minutes, but to no avail. The home team came back with a try that went wide, and on the ensuing counter, the Keydets earned a corner. The game's next play was Strand's goal, giving VMI a 1-0 lead. Both of the junior's goals this season have been game-winners.

The Keydets kept up the pressure, mounting three attacks that drew offside penalties before another Strand try at 16:07, a shot that missed the target.

At that point, Asheville appeared to get into the offensive flow of the match, as the Bulldogs had the next several shots. An attempt at 17:31 required a team save and a try at 31:19 went high, before VMI keeper Heidi Beemer was forced to make her first save of the day in the 41st minute. Shortly thereafter, a UNC Asheville foul gave the Keydets possession, and VMI took advantage. Gontarski got clear and notched her first goal of the season, and first score since 2008, putting VMI up 2-0. That would be the margin going to the intermission.

The second half was the home team's turn to come out quickly, as after a Simone Jimenez try was turned aside just 10 seconds in, Asheville took command of the match. The Bulldogs held VMI without a shot for 19 minutes, and took advantage in the 60th minute, when after a scramble in front of the net, Amanda Knapp was able to put a foot on the ball and beat Beemer, cutting the Keydet lead in half, 2-1.

The Keydets responded in the 65th minute, when they were finally able to get off a shot attempt. That attempt paid dividends, as it resulted in Berrios' goal that pushed the lead back to two, 3-1. Asheville fired back again, notching a score just 2:21 later. That cut the margin to one yet again, as three goals had been scored in just over seven minutes.

The Bulldog goal would be the match's final score, however, as both Dent and Beemer came up with several crucial saves late. Asheville had the final three shots of the match, but two missed the goal and Beemer turned the last one away, making the day's final save with just under two minutes to go, sealing the VMI win.

Asheville outshot the Keydets 17-10, including 12-5 in the second half, but the teams had an equal number of shots on goal, 8-8. Both Dent and Beemer made five saves for their respective teams.

VMI women's soccer will return to action Friday, Oct. 8, taking on Coastal Carolina at Patchin Field. Match time is set for 4 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Jen Ball

#17 Jen Ball

D/M
5' 4"
Senior
Heidi Beemer

#1 Heidi Beemer

GK
5' 10"
Senior
Amanda Berrios

#16 Amanda Berrios

M/F
5' 7"
Junior
Christina Gontarski

#14 Christina Gontarski

M/F
5' 5"
Junior
Simone Jimenez

#6 Simone Jimenez

M/F
5' 9"
Sophomore
Sarah Strand

#10 Sarah Strand

MF
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Jen Ball

#17 Jen Ball

5' 4"
Senior
D/M
Heidi Beemer

#1 Heidi Beemer

5' 10"
Senior
GK
Amanda Berrios

#16 Amanda Berrios

5' 7"
Junior
M/F
Christina Gontarski

#14 Christina Gontarski

5' 5"
Junior
M/F
Simone Jimenez

#6 Simone Jimenez

5' 9"
Sophomore
M/F
Sarah Strand

#10 Sarah Strand

5' 9"
Junior
MF