LEXINGTON, Va. - Former SoCon Player of the Year Stephanie DeVita had three goals, helping the Furman Paladins past the VMI Keydets, 5-1, in Southern Conference women's soccer action Sunday at VMI's Patchin Field. The match was the regular season finale for both teams.
Furman (12-3-2, 6-1-2 SoCon) pressed early and often against the Keydet (3-14-1, 2-7) defense, at one point attempting eight shots in a span of just 5:23. The Paladins finally broke through when DeVita scored off an India Robinson corner at 19:20, and DeVita scored again just 46 seconds later to make it 2-0. A second half goal capped the hat trick as Furman went on to the victory.
The Keydets were led by Sarah Putney's goal, which came in the 53rd minute off a deflection, and by Sydnie Bligh, who made 14 saves in goal. Bligh's 14 saves were the most by a Keydet keeper since Sept. 9, 2011, when Amanda Berrios also stopped 14 shots, and marked the first back to back double digit save efforts by a VMI goalie since Berrios accomplished the feat Oct. 20-22, 2011.
Furman attacked early against the Keydets, but Bligh was up to the task early on. Six saves in the first 18:46 kept the match scoreless, but Furman took advantage of its dominance of possession in the 20th minute, when DeVita broke through to make it 1-0. DeVita scored again at 20:06, when she had her shot blocked by Bligh, but the try trickled through the VMI keeper and found the back of the net for a 2-0 Furman advantage.
The Paladins tacked on at 37:35, when a long pass by Alyssa Althoff led to a 1 vs. 1 between Bligh and Carlie Couch. Couch won the battle with a goal from eight yards out, pushing the margin to 3-0 at halftime.
The Keydets got back into the match in the 53rd minute, when Allie Segura fired a shot from 15 yards out. The shot was deflected by Sarah Putney in a crowd in front of the net and by Furman goalkeeper Maggie Grisell for a goal, cutting the visitors' lead to 3-1. It was Putney's first goal since the 2011 season.
Furman reasserted control in the 58th minute on a goal by current National Player of the Week Jamie Alexander. Althoff picked up her second assist of the day on the play, and the Paladins then capped the scoring in the 62nd minute. Robinson ran a set play off a corner and picked up her second assist of the day, finding DeVita to complete the latter's hat trick and account for the final margin.
On the day, Furman finished with a 29-2 edge in shots and a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks. Paladin keeper Maggie Grisell did not make a save in the match.
Prior to the match, the Keydets honored seven members of this year's senior class during an on-field ceremony.
VMI women's soccer will return to action Wednesday, as the #8 Keydets open the SoCon Tournament at home against #9 The Citadel. Opening kick is set for 3 p.m.
