EMORY, Va. – The Roanoke College Women's Soccer Team (5-4, 1-2 ODAC) scored a goal both halves in route to a 2-1 win over Emory & Henry College (1-7, 0-3 ODAC) Tuesday afternoon in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action at Fred Selfe Stadium.
The two teams went back and forth for the opening 20 minutes of the contest to see who would control the midfield. Roanoke got on the board at the 21:50 mark when Marlana Barnard dribbled down the middle of the pitch and took a strike from the edge of the box for the first score.
The Wasps threatened several times in the opening 45 minutes but the Maroons' defense collapsed on the ball and was able to turn away the attack.
As the teams began to get settled into the second half, an E&H player was penalized for a foul. It was her second caution of the match and the Wasps were forced to play with 10 for the final 30:42 of the contest.
Roanoke got its second goal midway through the 85th minute. Courtney Yoke played a ball ahead that found the feet of Ashley Barnes, who beat the goalkeeper to the left side, making the score 2-0.
While it appeared the match would conclude with the final 2-0 margin, freshman midfielder Daishi Dudley (Rocky Mount, Va.) had other plans. With just 45 seconds to play, Dudley took a pass from senior forward Bethany Myer (Hickory, N.C.) and went up the right side of the field to score her team-leading third goal of the season to make the final score 2-1. It was Myer's third assist of the year as well.
Roanoke held a 20-4 advantage on shots, putting 11 on goal. Emory & Henry freshman goalkeeper Kayla Wright (Franklin County, Va.) made nine saves in the contest, including several which demonstrated her athleticism.
The E&H defense managed to keep RC honest on the attack for much of the afternoon however, forcing 10 offside calls. The Wasps played tough for the whole contest, but making the final connecting pass prior to an attempt at goal eluded them.
Emory & Henry will return to action on Saturday when it travels to Bridgewater College for an ODAC contest with the Eagles. The match, which is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m., will be the first of a doubleheader with the men's teams.
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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15