NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.- The VMI women's soccer team was defeated 3-1 in Big South Conference action Wed., Oct. 6 by the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. A score from freshman Liz Affronti in the 9th minute of action gave the Keydets the early lead, but the Buccaneers tallied a trio of unanswered scores in the final 81 minutes of action to result in the victory.

The lone score from the VMI (3-6-2, 0-2-1 Big South) came from Affronti, as classmate Sarah Putney sent a cross from 8-yards out inside the six that Affronti volleyed home into the top right corner of the net past a diving Charleston Southern goalkeeper Amy Arroyo to give the Keydets the early 1-0 advantage. The score was Affronti's second of the season, while the helper was Putney's first of her career.

The Buccaneers (6-5. 2-1 Big South) evened the match up in the 28th minute of action, as Toni Lashley took a feed from Allison Lewis. The Charleston Southern sniper then ripped a shot past a diving VMI goalkeeper Amanda Berrios into the lower corner of the net to knot the contest at 1-1 going into the half.

Charleston Southern took the lead for good in the 68th minute, as Gina Thomas scored off an assist from Rebecca Hollstegge for the eventual game-winner. Kenandra Desaussure added an insurance goal in the 85th minute of the action to bring the match to the final tally of 3-1.

Affronti led the Keydet offensive push with four shots on the afternoon as the Keydets were outshot 23-13 on the match. Lashley had a game-high eight shots for Charleston Southern.

Berrios made eight saves for VMI, while Arroyo turned away six VMI attempts in the victory.

The Keydets continue their Palmetto State road swing on Saturday, as VMI travels to Conway, S.C. to take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers from Coastal Carolina Soccer Field. The match is slated for an early, 10 a.m. kick.