Tribe Women Fall 2-1 to VCU

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The William and Mary women's soccer team fell to in-state foe VCU, 2-1, Thursday night from Martin-Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field.  Freshman Nicole Baxter gave the Tribe an early, 1-0, first-half lead, but the Rams rallied to score the night's final two goals.  The Tribe falls to 6-3 in on the year, while VCU improves to 4-2-3.

courtesy of TribeAthletics.com

The Green and Gold struck first with a score in the seventh minute, as Baxter beat a Rams defender in a foot race and proceeded to punch home senior Cortlyn Bristol's through ball.  After the Rams were turned away on multiple occasions by W&M's backline and freshman keeperCaroline Casey, VCU finally got on the board when junior Courtney Conrad netted a goal in the 33rd minute. With the contest now tied, W&M went back on the attack as Baxter shifted around VCU defenders.  Before the Pennington, N.J., natvie registered a shot on frame, she was taken down in the box. Stepping in to take W&M's PK was senior Mallory Schaffer, who sent the penalty kick tracking to the net, but VCU's senior keeper Kristin Carden was there to make the diving save   For the half, the Tribe outshot the Rams, 10-5, and owned the edge in shots on goal, 4-3.

In second-half action, Schaffer generated a quality look in the 50th minute but was turned away by senior Carden.  In the 78th minute, sophomore Aly Shaughnessy's shot sailed just wide of frame as the College was on the verge of going ahead.   The Rams connected on the game-winner in the 80th minute, when Conrad netted her second goal of the night off a rebound.  For the match, the College outshot the Rams, 18-16, while VCU owned a slight edge in shots on goal, 8-6.

Baxter's goal in the seventh minute was her second of the season, while the assist marked Bristol's fifth of the season, which leads the College.

W&M returns to the pitch on Sunday, Sept. 23, as it hosts James Madison in its CAA opener.  Sunday's contest against the Dukes is slated for a 2 p.m. kickoff and fans can follow the action online at TribeAthleics.com with live video and stats.