CHARLESTON, S.C. – The William and Mary women's soccer team scored a pair of second half goals as they reeled off their third straight Colonial Athletic Association victory with a 2-0 win at the College of Charleston on Sunday afternoon. The Green and Gold benefited from an own goal and senior Emory Camper's tally in the victory. With the win, the Tribe improves to 9-2-1, 3-1-0 in CAA play, while the Cougars fall to 5-8-0, 1-3-0 in league action.
Charleston had a good look at the first goal of the day in just the third minute. Off of a corner kick, Tracey Webster was able to head the ball towards the goal, but she pushed her shot wide.
After the Charleston chance, the Tribe had three of their own in the following moments. Junior Samantha Cordum came charging down the left sideline and launched her shot towards the goal. However, Lauren Killian made the diving save. The Tribe continued its pressure and freshman Haley Kent fired a shot just outside of the box in the seventh minute that went just wide. The third shot came from junior Leci Irvin, but her shot was stopped by a sparling Killian.
W&M continued to mount its pressure and had another excellent opportunity in the 17th minute. Junior Barbara Platenberg uncorked a shot on frame, but it was blocked by a Charleston defender out of play. The Tribe was whistled for a foul on the ensuing corner kick, ending the threat.
Despite being scoreless at halftime, W&M controlled almost the entire first half in their entire third. They outshot the Cougars 11-2, including a 7-0 advantage in shots on goal.
Much like the first half, the Green and Gold opened the second half with a flurry. Kent rushed into the box and fired a shot high of the cage in just the 47th minute. In the 51st minute, senior Anna Madden just missed another chance to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead when her shot went just wide.
The Tribe was finally able to break the scoreless tie with a goal in the 54th minute. Off of a throw-in sent in by Camper the ball deflected into the Charleston goal off of a Cougar defender. The own goal gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead.
W&M just missed a chance to double its lead with a shot from freshman Rachel Moore in the 62nd minute. Moore's shot crushed off of Killian and got by her, but a Charleston defender was able to clear it off the line.
Moments later the Tribe was successful in doubling its lead. On a diagonal run into the box, Camper found some space and uncorked a shot. A Cougar defender saved her initial attempt, but she collected the rebound and fired it home. The Virginia Beach, Va. native's fifth goal of the season gave the Green and Gold a 2-0 advantage.
W&M continued its domination of the possession and limited the Cougars to just one shot in the second half. For the match, the Tribe outshot Charleston 19-3, including a 12-0 advantage in shots on goal. Madden and Camper finished with a match-high three shots apiece, while 11 Tribe players recorded a shot in the match.
Junior Caroline Casey recorded her second straight shutout and the Tribe recorded its third straight shutout. Casey didn't face a shot on goal all day. W&M has allowed just two goals during its last seven games. During that stretch, the Chesapeake, Virginia native has lowered her goals-against-average to x.
The victory also sealed the Tribe's 34th consecutive winning season (all years in program history). The 34 years stands as an NCAA record.
W&M returns home for its final three match home stand of the season when they welcome Delaware to Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Friday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Tribe will also welcome Drexel (Oct. 12) and Elon (Oct. 19) on the home stand. Those matches will both start at 2 p.m.
