The Radford University women’s soccer team had one final test before the regular season begins next week and it took advantage of it with a 2-1 victory over Concord on Sunday evening.
Reese Deagan drives the ball deep into Concord territory Sunday in the pouring rain as Radford University picked up the 2-1 win on Deagan’s early goal.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Concord,” Ben Sohrabi said. “I thought they were very organized and defended well. The bottom line is that we have to play better than we did tonight. It’s always nice to win, but our play has to be at a higher level.”
The Highlanders took three shots just 12 minutes into the match and the first one that landed on goal gave Radford a 1-0 lead. Freshman Reese Degnan ripped a shot from just inside the box on the left side of the field and it went past the diving keeper in the 12th minute.
It was just 11 minutes later – in the 23rd minute – when Concord tied the match. The ball landed right in front of Pilar Elias when a Mountain Lion cross attempt was unsuccessful after a Radford defender knocked it away. Elias chipped the ball to the left of the keeper and into the goal for the equalizer.
Radford took five more shots in the first half for a total of eight. Freshmen Maevyn Jones and Emily Cardoso took two each, while Abby Hurst added a couple as well. Both of Jones’ shots land on goal, while Hurst and Cardoso had one placed on frame.
In the 53rd minute, one of Helena Gonzalez’s five second half shots was a bicycle kick from eight yards out. The Mountain Lion goalkeeper came up with the save, however, the ball bounced back into play right where Jessica Wollmann was standing, and she easily placed the ball in the left side of the goal, for the game-winner.
The Highlanders controlled possession for most of the second half and had 13 shots with four landing on goal. Two of Gonzalez’s shots were on target, while Wollmann had four shots with one on the mark.
Concord tallied four shots for the entire match and was efficient with three landing on goal. Elias led the way with two shots, both on frame.
The game saw the return of former Christiansburg soccer player, Karley Poff, who is a junior on the Concord squad.
Radford will open the regular season on Thursday at 7 p.m., when they welcome 2017 NCAA Tournament participant Saint Francis (Pa.) to Cupp Stadium.
–RU Athletics
