Rollyson Scores Two Goals, GWU Defeats VMI on the Road 3-2
October 15, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Lexington, Va. - The Runnin' Bulldogs got two goals from senior Dawn Rollyson and was able to knock off VMI on the road 3-2 in Big South Conference action.
The match marks Gardner-Webb's first road win of the 2011 season as well as its first victory in conference play. With the win, GWU improves to 3-6-5 on the year and 1-3-2 in the Big South.
The host Keydets jumped on top 1-0 early on a Sarah Strand goal in the 10th minute. VMI played a short corner, then saw a cross find its way safely to the foot of Simone Jimenez, who found Strand for the goal.
The Runnin' Bulldog offense responded just 5 minutes later as Rollyson took an assist from Megan Reynolds to tie the score at 1-1. The senior from Westerville, Ohio took the pass in front of the goal among numerous defenders, yet was able to find a way to beat Keydet keeper Amanda Berrios to even the score going into the break.
GWU struck first in the second half, as senior Mackenzie Davis scored her first goal of the year in the 53rd minute to make it 2-1. Davis outmaneuvered two VMI defenders inside the 18 yard box and struck the ball low to beat the keeper and give the Runnin' Bulldogs a one goal advantage.
Rollyson's second goal of the match came in the 65th minute and put Gardner-Webb up 3-1. A through ball from Megan Curan found Rollyson 30 yards out, and Rollyson fired it home from 18 yards out to give GWU a two goal lead.
VMI responded in the 80th minute as Strand scored her second goal of the match off a corner kick.
The GWU defense held strong the rest of the way, fighting off Keydet scoring bids in the final 10 minutes of the contest. GWU keeper Erika Lenns saved a Christelle Ndongo shot attempt in the 86th minute, coming out to the top of the box to block Ndongo's shot from 16 yards out to preserve the 3-2 lead for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Lenns got the win, tallying 8 saves in improving to 3-6-5 on the year. Berrios finished with 5 saves for the Keydets.
Rollyson's two goal effort marks her third multi-goal match of the year, highlighted by a two-goal effort in the season opener against USC Upstate and a hat trick in the home match vs. Jacksonville State, and brings her season total to eight goals scored. Megan Curan picked up her team-high third assist in the win.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action on October 20 at 7 pm, as GWU hosts UNC-Asheville. Fans can follow all of the action via live stream courtesy of the Big South Conference, available for a small fee, as well as by live stats available at the Gardner-Webb sports website: http://www.gwusports.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?&SPSID=46223&SPID=4170&DB_OEM_ID=10300 . VMI is also back on the field October 20, as the Keydets travel to face off with Big South rival Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. in a match slated to begin at 4 pm.
| VMI vs. Gardner-Webb - Box Score |
