WASHINGTON — William & Mary women's soccer erupted for five unanswered goals, including four in the second half, to close nonconference play with a 5-1 victory over American on Sunday afternoon at Reeves Field.
Senior Paige Seitz scored twice for her first two goals of the season, while fellow seniors Ava Schultz and Lindsay Wilson each found the back of the net. Schultz scored the first goal of her collegiate career, while Wilson added her second of the season. Sophomore Ella Ledwith also recorded her first career goal to cap the Tribe's five-goal performance.
Freshmen Capri Reyes and Kerys Palmer each recorded their first collegiate assists. Mia Abbey and Wilson also added assists for the Green and Gold.
The victory was W&M's first of the season and its first on the road since a 3-0 win at Hampton on Sept. 19, 2024. The Tribe improved to 1-4-2 and wrapped up its nonconference slate with the victory.
W&M controlled the attack, outshooting American (0-6-2), 30-11, and putting 17 attempts on goal. The Tribe also held a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. Goalkeeper Mia Tegeris played all 90 minutes and made five saves.
First Half
William & Mary controlled much of the opening half, generating 15 shots and six corner kicks while holding American to just two attempts.
Abbey put three shots on frame over the opening 27 minutes, while Ellie Leffler also tested American goalkeeper Riley Molbury in the 29th minute.
Despite the Tribe's pressure, American struck first in the 35th minute when Piper Garcia scored to give the Eagles a 1-0 advantage.
The lead lasted just 31 seconds.
Reyes set up Seitz for the equalizer at 34:42, giving the senior her first goal of the season and Reyes the first assist of her collegiate career.
W&M continued to generate opportunities before halftime, including shots on goal from Reyes and Brooke Oswald, but the teams entered the break tied at 1-1.
Second Half
The Tribe broke through in the 67th minute. Abbey set up Schultz, who scored the first goal of her collegiate career to give W&M a 2-1 lead.
William & Mary then put the match away with three goals over a span of less than seven minutes.
Wilson extended the advantage to 3-1 in the 77th minute with her second goal of the season. Less than a minute later, Seitz struck again off an assist from Palmer for her second goal of the afternoon and a 4-1 Tribe lead. The assist marked the first of Palmer's collegiate career.
Ledwith capped the scoring in the 83rd minute, finding the back of the net off an assist from Wilson for the first goal of her collegiate career, pushing the margin to 5-1.
The Tribe finished with 15 shots in each half. Abbey led W&M with eight attempts, including four on goal, while Wilson recorded five shots and Seitz finished with four. Seitz put three of her four attempts on frame.
Tegeris made all five of her saves after halftime to keep American off the board over the final 45 minutes.
Up Next
William & Mary opens CAA play on Saturday, Sept. 19, traveling to Charleston, S.C., to face College of Charleston. Kickoff is set for noon on FloCollege.
