WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary women's soccer team scored two unanswered second half goals on its way to 2-1 victory over ACC foe N.C. State on Sunday afternoon at Martin Family Stadium. Freshman Rachel Moore had three points, the first multi-point game of her career, while sophomore Haley Kavanaugh scored the game-winner. With the victory, the Tribe improved to 2-1-1, while the Wolfpack fell to 2-4-0.
W&M had a couple of chances in the first period to take the lead, but were turned away by N.C. State goalkeeper Mackenzie Stelljes. The first was a shot by junior Leci Irvin that was turned away. The best chance of the first half came off of a corner kick that senior Aly Shaughnessy headed on target, but Stelljes had the stop.
N.C. State jumped on the board first with a goal in the 37th minute. Dayna Tomayko created space for herself, and found herself open. From 20 yards out, she fired a shot into the upper right 90 of the Tribe goal. The tally put the Wolfpack up 1-0.
At the break N.C State led 1-0, but the Tribe held a 6-4 advantage in shots. The Green and Gold also had a 4-2 lead in shots on goal.
W&M continued to mount its pressure in the second half, and was able to knot the game in the 60th minute. Off of a throw-in by senior Emory Camper, the ball rolled freely through the box. Moore collected the loose ball, and fired it right into the lower right corner of the net for the equalizer.
The pressure remained high for the Tribe following the equalizer. Just two minutes later, freshman Haley Kent rocketed a shot off of the crossbar. The rebound found classmate Sami Grasso, but her shot was blocked. Junior Nicole Baxter finished the flurry with a shot on target, but it was turned away by Stelljes.
Kavanaugh found the game-winner in the 78th minute. After a clearance to midfield by N.C. State, Moore sent a long ball to the end line. Junior Samantha Cordum was able to chase it down, and sent a cross to the middle of the box. Kavanaugh timed her run perfectly and fired the ball into the middle of the empty frame. The sophomore's second goal in as many games gave the Tribe a 2-1 lead.
The College remained in control, except for one N.C. State chance late in the match. Caroline Gentry found some space, and put a shot on frame, but junior goalkeeper Caroline Casey made the stop.
W&M outshot N.C. State 17-7 in the match, including an 11-5 mark in shots on goal. Casey made four saves in goal for the Tribe in her second victory of the season. Moore led the Tribe with five shots, including three on frame. Shaughnessy also put three shots on target for the Green and Gold.
The Tribe closes out the first of three, three-match home stands on Wednesday, Sept. 10 against in-state rival Richmond. The match, which will be aired nationally on NSCAATV, begins at 7 p.m. W&M then travels to Penn on Sunday, Sept. 14 for a 2:30 p.m. match.
