WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary women's soccer team erased an early 1-0 deficit with three unanswered against Colonial Athletic Association newcomer Elon on Sunday afternoon at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Senior Emory Camper, freshman Rachel Moore and junior Leci Irvin all tallied goals for the Tribe in the victory, while junior Barbara Platenberg was credited with a pair of assists. With the win, the Tribe improves to 11-3-1, 5-2 in CAA play, while the Phoenix fall to 5-10-0, 1-6-0 in CAA play.
Prior to the match, the women's soccer team honored its six seniors, who where playing in their final regular season home game on Sunday afternoon at Martin Family Stadium. Seniors Emory Camper, Taylor Dyson, Emily Fredrikson, Anna Madden, Christina Popps, and Aly Shaughnessy were all honored and all started the match for the Green and Gold.
Elon opened the scoring in the match with a goal in the 10th minute. A failed clearance by the Tribe's defense ended up on the foot of Elon's Grace Bennett. Bennett launched her shot into the right corner of the empty net. The goal gave the Phoenix an early 1-0 lead.
W&M found the equalizer with a goal in the 29th minute. Camper was at the top of the 18-yard box and headed a shot towards the keeper. The ball rolled around and trickled into the back of the net. Camper's team-leading ninth goal of the season knotted the match at 1-1.
The Tribe took its first lead of the day with a goal in the 39th minute. Junior Katie Johnston won the ball from an Elon defender and sent a pass to Platenberg. The junior then sent a cross into the left side of the box. A collision between three players left the goal wide open and the ball on the foot of Moore. Moore uncorked her shot off of the right post and into the goal. The freshman's third goal of the season gave the College a 2-1 advantage.
W&M doubled its lead with a goal just five minutes into the second half. Freshman Elysse Branton started the play sending Platenberg free. Platenberg then sent a cross from just outside of the 18. Charging down the right side was Irvin, who sent her attempt into the back left corner of the goal. Her second goal of the season pushed the Tribe lead to 3-1.
The Green and Gold outshot the Phoenix by a 16-4 margin, which included a 10-3 mark in shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Caroline Casey made two saves in goal for the Tribe in her 11th win of the season. Johnston fired a game-high five shots for the Tribe in the match.
With the victory, W&M secured one of the six spots in the 2014 CAA Women's Soccer Championship. The tournament will take place on Nov. 2, 7, and 9 with games being played at higher seeds in the quarterfinals and the regular season champion hosting the semifinals and championship. Heading to the last weekend of the season, the regular season championship is still up for grabs.
The College concludes its regular season slate on the road with a pair of games next weekend. The Tribe travels to James Madison for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Oct. 24, before heading to Towson for a 2 p.m. match on Sunday, Oct. 26.
