WILLIAMSBURG, Va - In
front of a Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field record crowd of 901, the William and Mary women's soccer
team fell in its season opener to No. 1 Duke Friday night, 4-1. The Blue
Devils, who managed four first-half scores, go to 1-0 on the season while
W&M falls to, 0-1.
Duke got on the scoreboard first, after freshman Cassie
Pecht headed in a cross from junior Natasha Anasi in the ninth minute. Four minutes later, the Blue Devils connected
on their second score of the night, after a W&M save fell back into the
pitch as Duke junior Laura Weinberg connecting on the rebound score. Before the half ended, Duke tacked on two
more goals in the 28th and 37th minutes as it took a 4-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Tribe gave itself chances early and
often. For the first 17 minutes of the
second frame, W&M registered four shots, two of which coming on goal and three corner kicks. Senior forward Cortlyn Bristol registered the Tribe's two shots on frame and a shot, while senior midfielder Mallory Schaffer connected on a header that sailed wide right of net.
Unable to put through any of those promising looks, Schaffer got the Green and Gold on the scoreboard in the 65th
minute. Junior forward Audrey Barry
discovered Schaffer streaking down the right middle, towards the 18. Schaffer then dribbled to her left, and fired
a shot from just outside of the 18, which flew past the Duke goalie for the far
post goal.
Five W&M freshmen saw their first collegiate playing
time Friday evening. Freshmen Caroline
Casey and Leci Irvin made their first career starts, while classmates Nicole Baxter, Barbara Platenberg and Samantha Cordum saw action in reserve roles.
The record crowd of 901 broke the previous mark of 711,
which originated during the 2008 season against CAA foe Hofstra.
Tribe soccer returns to action Friday, Aug.24, as it travels
to Knoxville, Tenn., for a weekend tournament hosted by the Volunteers. On Friday, Aug. 24, W&M will square off
against Tennessee in an 8 p.m. start time. The College will conclude play in the
tournament on Sunday, Aug. 26, as it faces Akron in match slated for 12:30 p.m. Fans can follow Green and Gold soccer online
at TribeAthletics.com.
