VMI Rally Falls Just Short in 2-1 Loss

Women's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

VMI Rally Falls Just Short in 2-1 Loss

LEXINGTON, Va. – Two first-half goals proved to be just enough, as the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defeated the VMI Keydets 2-1 in Big South women's soccer action contested Friday afternoon at Patchin Field in Lexington, Va.

Coastal scored in the 15th and 43rd minutes, and held a 2-0 lead at the half. VMI fired back, however, as Amanda Berrios scored on a spectacular individual effort with four minutes to go. The Keydets pressured the Chanticleers over the remainder of the match, drawing a corner kick with 2:15 left, but the visitors cleared the ball and successfully ran out the clock.

With the win, Coastal Carolina goes to 6-6 overall and 2-1 in Big South play, while the Keydets fall to 2-11 and 1-2 in conference action. VMI keeper Heidi Beemer had five saves for the home team, while Amy Haggard stopped one shot for the Chanticleers.

“I'm very pleased with our second half performance against a good Coastal Carolina team,” said VMI head coach Bryan Williams. “I felt Amanda Berrios' effort to score against their keeper was a tremendous effort, and I'm happy with the attitude and work rate of the whole team in the second half. I give Coastal credit, as they took advantage of our mistakes in the first half, and we paid the price with the loss.”

Both teams had chances early in the contest, played on a sunny, 70-degree day under clear skies. Coastal Carolina's Christina Stern fired a shot high in the sixth minute for the best early chance for either club, and the Chanticleers had another chance six minutes later, when a header went wide. The visitors got on the board at 14:37, when a ball was played into the box off a cross. Stern settled it, and both she and a VMI defender appeared to tip the ball. Stern then tipped it once more, deflecting it past Beemer for the game's first goal.

The match then settled down a bit, with neither squad able to put together a quality chance. Beemer had two saves, stopping shots at 15:08 and 25:59, while Christelle Ndongo put a shot on frame in the 41st minute, a try that Haggard stopped. In the 43rd minute, Coastal struck again. A ball was played into the box, was hit by multiple players and deflected by a Keydet. Finally, Ali Morin tipped the ball by Beemer, giving the visitors a 2-0 edge. That would remain the score at halftime.

Coastal threatened early in the second half, earning three corner kicks and forcing two Beemer saves in the first 10:27 of the period. The visitors could not add to their cushion, but they had another shot in the 64th minute. In a two-versus-two situation, the Chanticleers' Anna Tupy got a shot away, but it went wide.

Neither team seriously threatened again until the 87th minute, when Berrios had a one versus one with a defender about eight yards from the goal. She got off a shot that was deflected, but made a sliding second attempt, a try that beat Haggard to the far post and cut VMI's deficit to 2-1. It was Berrios' third goal of the season, but Coastal's defense held the remainder of the match, allowing them to escape with the win.

Coastal Carolina outshot the Keydets 18-5 on the day, with the shots on goal margin standing at 7-2. Coastal earned five corner kicks to the Keydets' one.

VMI women's soccer will return to action Sunday, as the Keydets play host to the Charleston Southern Lady Buccaneers at Patchin Field. The Big South match is set to get underway at 1 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Heidi Beemer

#1 Heidi Beemer

GK
5' 10"
Senior
Amanda Berrios

#16 Amanda Berrios

M/F
5' 7"
Junior
Christelle Ndongo

#2 Christelle Ndongo

F/D
6' 1"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Heidi Beemer

#1 Heidi Beemer

5' 10"
Senior
GK
Amanda Berrios

#16 Amanda Berrios

5' 7"
Junior
M/F
Christelle Ndongo

#2 Christelle Ndongo

6' 1"
Sophomore
F/D