WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Redshirt sophomore Sarah Segan scored twice, including the game-winner in the 88th minute, as the William & Mary women's soccer team, topped Fairleigh Dickinson 3-2 in the home opener at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Thursday night. Senior Elysse Branton also added a goal and an assist in the victory for W&M. The Tribe improves to 3-0-0 with the victory, while the Knights drop to 1-2-0.
 
Despite holding a 10-7 advantage in shots in the first half, W&M and FDU played the first 45 minutes to a 1-1 draw. Branton opened the scoring with a goal in the 25th minute when she cleaned up the rebound on an original shot from classmate Sami Grasso. However, her marker was answered by a 38th minute goal by Jessi Reinhardt, who scored directly off of a corner kick.
 
The Tribe once again jumped out to the lead in the second half with a goal in the 53rd minute. This time, Segan stole the ball in the box, cleared some space, and fired her shot into the back of the left side of the net. Once again the Knights responded this time eight minutes later. On a misplay, Meghan Griffin played a back pass and was able to beat the keeper one-versus-one and score from the top of the penalty area.
 
Segan however got the last laugh for the Tribe. Branton controlled a loose ball and raced down the right side of the pitch. Right after she reached the 18 she played a cross to Segan, who finished to the right side to give W&M the 3-2 lead in the 88th minute, which the Tribe secured for its third victory.
 
W&M Starters: Briguglio (GK), Grasso, Branton, Moore, Segan, Kober, Kelly, Kent, Robbins, Hyland, Keith
 
FDU Starters: Fitzgerald (GK), Jones, Roff, Reinhardt, Bennett, Torchia, Battistoni, Shea, Perez, Albertsson, Miseljic
 
Inside the Numbers
- W&M controlled the shot count 21-10. The Tribe fired 11 shots in the second half to just three from the Knights.
 
- The Green and Gold also held a 12-9 advantage in shots on-goal.
 
- FDU's Amanda Fitzgerald recorded nine saves in the match.
 
- For the first time this season, W&M won the corner kick battle 5-3.
 
Notes
Senior Elysse Branton scored her second goal of the season and third of her career … Branton's two goals are already a career-high for a single-season … The Sterling, Va.  native also recorded her eighth career assist … It was the first multi-point night of her career … Senior Sami Grasso added her ninth career assist in the first half … Redshirt sophomore Sarah Segan recorded her second and third goal of the season, which gives her 13 for her career … It was the second time in Segan's career she has recorded multiple goals doing so last on Sept. 18, 2016 against Marshall …  It was also only the second and third time that Segan scored in the second half of a match in her career ... Sophomore Katelyn Briguglio earned her second straight win for W&M … She made a season-high five saves, all in the first half … The Tribe improves to 3-0 for the first time since 2015 … The Tribe has now won two of its last three home openers … Junior Mackenzie Kober earned her first start of the season, while sophomore Sully Boulden made her season debut.
 
What's Ahead
W&M closes out its homestand as it welcomes 2016 NCAA Tournament participant Bucknell to Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Sunday, Aug. 27. Kickoff between the Tribe and Bison is set for 2 p.m.