Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer Tripped Up at VMI, 2-0, on Wednesday Afternoon
October 09, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Lexington, Va. - A first half goal by VMI's Killian Buckley in the 41st minute swung the momentum of the match, and the Keydets tacked on a second half goal in the 83rd minute to earn a 2-0 win over Gardner-Webb on Wednesday afternoon.
GWU (3-9-1, 1-4), coming off a 1-0 win at Campbell, was unable to win back-to-back Big South road matches in large part due to a key momentum change that occurred late in the first half. After a through ball placed by the Keydets attempted to knife the defense, GWU attempted to play the ball out, only Buckley stepped in to intercept and put the ball into the back of the net and give VMI a 1-0 lead entering the break.
Prior to the goal, Gardner-Webb had recorded five shots, three of which in a two minute span between the 37th and 38th minutes. Karyn Latorre (Bogota, Colombia) had a shot blocked, as did Meagan Reynolds (Kings Mountain, N.C.), before Whitley Bowman (Damascus, Md.) let loose on her third shot attempt of the first half, but it went wide of the goal.
Coming out of the break, the Runnin' Bulldogs pressured the Keydet defense early with a shot attempt from Samantha Gutierrez (Austin, Texas), who netted the game-winning goal against Campbell. Gutierrez's scoring bid sailed wide, and the Keydets stayed in front 1-0.
After a nifty save by Amy Schmitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) off an Allie Segura shot attempt in the 57th minute prevented VMI from extending its lead, GWU earned perhaps its most promising scoring opportunity of the match. Reynolds found space in the VMI backline and took an open shot from 10 yards out, but the shot went right at Keydet keeper Liz Nickerson, who made a strong save to keep her squad on top 1-0.
Shelby Hooe (Mechanicsville, Va.) pressured Nickerson with a shot attempt from beyond the 18 yard box, but her bid was saved as the Runnin' Bulldogs continued to push forward looking for the equalizer.
Nifty footwork by Hooe earned the Runnin' Bulldogs another scoring opportunity in the 74th minute, as she outmaneuvered several defenders only to have her shot blocked by a hustling VMI defender, keeping the score knotted at 1-0 in VMI's favor.
The backbreaking goal to propel VMI on top 2-0 came in the 83rd minute off of a set piece. A VMI free kick found its way to the hands of Schmitt, but the ball stayed in the box and was tipped in to give the Keydets a two-goal lead late in the match.
GWU continued to fight forward, getting two more shots on goal from Reynolds before time expired.
The Runnin' Bulldogs held a slight advantage in shots taken (14-11) over the Keydets, who put more shots on frame (6-4) than did Gardner-Webb. Reynolds (3 SOG) and Hooe (3 shots, 1 SOG) led GWU offensively on the day, while Whitehurst (1 G) and Buckley (1 G) kickstarted the Keydet offensive attack.
Schmitt (3-9-1) took the loss in a four save effort. Nickerson earned the win, also registering four saves in the contest.
Gardner-Webb will look to bounce back with another key Big South matchup looming, as the Runnin' Bulldogs host Longwood on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m.
| Box Score: VMI 2, GWU 0 |
