AUBURN, Ala. -
The William and Mary women's soccer team defeated Auburn, 2-0, Sunday afternoon
from the Auburn University Soccer Complex.
Behind senior Mallory Schaffer's penalty kick score and junior Dani
Rutter's ninth career goal, W&M tallied the program's seventh win over SEC
competition. The win improves the
College's record to 3-2, while Auburn falls to 3-3 on the season. The win was the 350th for W&M's head coach John Daly. In his 26th season at the helm of the Tribe program, all of Daly's triumphs have come at the College.
"We played two very good halves today against a good team,"
stated coach John Daly. "We settled down early and played with good tempo,
connecting well all over the field. Our midfield was excellent and the backs
defended admirably. Up front, Erin (Liberatore) and Dani (Rutter) kept their
defense stretched. Erin was taken down
from behind on the PK which Mallory (Schaffer) buried. Cortlyn (Bristol) had a great run and released
the ball perfectly to Dani for the second goal.
Auburn had some good possession later in the game but our defense held
firm."
In a defensive minded opening half, neither team threatened
with scoring opportunities until senior Erin Liberatore was taken down inside
the box, generating a penalty kick opportunity in the 29th minute. Taking the PK was Schaffer, who proceeded to
score her fourth goal of the season, as the College went ahead, 1-0. The Tribe ended the half registering three
shots with two on frame, while holding the Tigers scoreless.
After Auburn opened the second-half taking three shots in
the opening 10 minutes, the Tribe countered with another goal in the 59th
minute. Rutter connected on the College's
second score of the afternoon after she went opposite post on Auburn's senior
keeper Alexa Allen off of an assist from senior Cortlyn Bristol. It marked Rutter's second goal of the season,
while it was Bristol's second assist and sixth point of the year.
Freshman keeper Caroline Casey saw all 90 minutes of action
in goal for the Tribe, as the Chesapeake, Va., native recorded one save en
route to posting consecutive shutouts.
For the match, Auburn held the advantage in shots, 9-6, but the Tribe
owned the edge in shots on goal, 4-1.
The Green and Gold returns to action Friday, Sept. 7, when
it plays at Villanova in a match slated for an 11 a.m. start. The match against the Wildcats will be the first
of two matches for the Tribe in Philadelphia, Pa. On Sunday, Sept. 9, the Green and Gold will
face Seton Hall in a contest schedule for 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow next weekend's action online
at TribeAthletics.com.
