Women's Soccer Downed by Gardner-Webb, 3-2 - VMI Athletics

LEXINGTON, Va.- Senior Sarah Strand scored twice for the VMI women's soccer team, but it wasn't enough, as the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs downed VMI 3-2 on Sat., Oct. 15, at VMI's Patchin Field. The Keydets managed to outshoot the Runnin' Bulldogs, 20-14 on the match, but were outscored 3-0 from the 15th to 65th minute.

VMI (3-9-2, 0-5-1 Big South) took the early lead on Strand's first score of the contest in the 10th minute of action. The Keydets utilized a short corner kick from the left flank, and the cross found senior Simone Jimenez inside the six. Jimenez then fed Strand inside the six, who beat Runnin' Bulldog keeper Erika Less far post to give the Keydets the early 1-0 advantage.

Gardner-Webb (3-6-5, 1-3-2 Big South) knotted the contest five minutes later, as Dawn Rollyson took a pass from Meagan Reynolds in the 15th minute. Rollyson then collected the pass under extreme pressure inside the area, and beat VMI keeper Amanda Berrios near post to knot the tally a 1-1.

The score remained 1-1 heading into the half, but Gardner-Webb's MacKenzie Davis broke the tie in the 53rd minute on an individual effort. Davis beat two VMI defenders inside the 18, and fired the shot home lower-left to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage. Rollyson notched her second tally of the match in the 65th minute on a Megan Curan helper, taking a through ball 30 yards out and took a shot at the top of the 18 to beat Berrios lower left for the 3-1 lead.

VMI fought back in the 80th minute, as GWU conceded a penalty-kick. Strand netted her second score of the match beating Lenns to her left to cut the Runnin' Bulldog lead in half with 10 minutes remaining.

The Keydet effort never wavered, as VMI pressured in the final 10 minutes to generate several chances. Strand and classmate Christelle Ndongo nearly connected with four minutes left, as Strand sent a pass in from 30 yards out to Ndongo, who took a shot from 16 yards out that was stopped by Lenns at the top of the box to preserve the 3-2 score line.

Lenns had eight stops GWU, while Berrios made five saves for VMI. Freshman Liz Affronti had six shots for the Keydets, and was backed by five from Ndongo. Rollyson had a team-high six opportunities for Gardner-Webb.

VMI returns to action Thursday, Oct. 20, as the squad travels to Lynchburg, Va., to take on the Liberty Flames. Match time is slated for 4 p.m.