WILMINGTON, N.C. – A pair of second half goals lifted the William & Mary women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory at UNCW on Thursday night. Seniors Rachel Moore and Sami Grasso each scored in the triumph. With the win, the Tribe improves to 6-8-2, 2-3-2 in league action, while the Sehawaks drop to 5-9-2, 1-4-1 in league action.
 
W&M broke the scoreless tie in the 54th minute off of a corner kick. After junior Mackenzie Kober had a nice run, she fired her shot on target but it was saved out of bounds. On the ensuing corner kick, senior Elysse Branton found the head of Moore, who headed the ball in on the far post. The senior's second goal of the season made it 1-0 Tribe.
 
UNCW leveled the score with a goal 67th minute. Lauren Ellis flicked a pass to her teammate Kristen Bootes. Bootes was able to direct the ball into the back of the empty net, tying the score.
 
The Tribe regained the lead with a marker in the 74th minute. Sophomore Charlotte Hyland slotted a pass back to freshman Erin Dailey, who fired a shot from just outside of the 18. Her shot was saved, but it produced a juicy rebound that Grasso won the race to and put home. Grasso's third tally of the season made it 2-1.
 
W&M Starters - #0 Smith (GK), #4 Grasso, #6 Dailey, #7 Branton, #8 Moore, #9 Segan #10 Kober, #12 Kelly, #13 Kent, #16 Hyland, #22 Keith
 
UNCW Starters - #1 Schneider (GK), #5 Phillips, #6 Martinez, #7 McGarry, #8 Edwards, #12 Waters, #15 Salvadore, #19 Cox, #21 Johnson, #26 Pak, #27 Peace
 
Goals
54' | Rachel Moore (W&M) (Assist Elysse Branton)
67' | Kristen Bootes (UNCW) (Assist Lauren Ellis)
74' | Sami Grasso (W&M) (Assist Erin Dailey)
 
Inside the Numbers
- Despite the win, UNCW held a 12-8 advantage in shots for the match, but the shots were an even 6-6 in the second period.
- Both teams turned four shots on target in the match.
- UNCW had 10 corner kick attempts, but the Tribe defended all of them. W&M only had three corner attempts, but was able to convert one.
- Senior Sami Grasso and redshirt sophomore Sarah Segan tied for the match-high with two shots apiece.
 
Notes
Senior Rachel Moore scored her second goal of the season and the 17th goal of her career … Senior Sami Grasso notched her third goal of the season and the 13th of her career … It was the first game-winning goal of the season for Grasso, and the fifth time she's had the winner in her W&M career … Senior Elysse Branton was credited with her third assist of the season, which equals a career-high for a single-season … It was Branton's 10th career helper … Freshman Erin Dailey earned her first career assist on the winner … Senior Grace Smith made three saves in her second straight victory for the Green and Gold … it was the seventh win of her career … W&M has now won two straight contests and is unbeaten in its last three matches … The Tribe leads the all-time series against UNCW 24-2-1.
 
What's Ahead
The Tribe plays its final regular season road game on Sunday, Oct. 15 when they travel to Boston to play Northeastern. Kickoff between the Tribe and the Huskies is set for 1 p.m. W&M's final regular season game is set for Sunday, Oct. 22 when it hosts Towson at Albert-Daly Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.