VMI women overwhelmed in season opener to visiting Austin Peay 6-0

The visiting Austin Peay Lady Govs outscored VMI 6-0 in the second half, en route to winning by that margin over the Keydets in VMI’s regular season opener Friday afternoon at Patchin Field.

After a scoreless, evenly played first half, Austin Peay’s (1-0) Emily Kink controlled the ball three minutes into the second period. She then nailed a shot from 25 yards out, slightly to VMI (0-1) keeper Angela Redmond’s left. The high, arching shot was just over Redmond’s outstretched fingertips to beat the Keydet netminder and give the visitors the 1-0 lead they would not relinquish. Kink would go on to score the Lady Govs’ third goal in the 60th minute, and also tacked on an assist late.

The contest began at a very slow pace on a comfortable, sunny day, with the temperature sitting around 80 degrees. The Lady Govs had the match’s opening four shots, but Redmond only needed to make one save, as the attempts were from well outside. Austin Peay had another try on goal in the 30th minute, but Redmond turned aside Jocelyn Murdoch to keep the game scoreless.

VMI had its first shot attempt with 7:10 left in the half, a Taylor Armstrong try that went wide, and followed up with a Casey Ridings attempt that was just high. Christelle Ndongo then had a near miss off a Ridings corner kick, as the Keydets closed the half by controlling the pace over the final seven minutes of action, and the contest went to halftime scoreless.

The visitors came out with a quick shot that was stopped by Redmond, but the Lady Govs were able to possess the ball and went on to strike for Kink’s first goal, the eventual game-winner. After an A.J. Baker try off a corner kick went wide, Murdoch followed with a score in the 51st minute and Kink tacked on her second with just over 30 minutes to play, putting Austin Peay up 3-0. The team would add three additional goals, scoring in the 74th, 87th and 90th minutes to account for the final margin, and also keeping its shutout intact when an Amanda Berrios try at 87:56 went high.

The Lady Govs held a 21-8 edge in shot attempts on the day, while VMI had a slight edge in corner kicks, 5-4. Redmond made four saves for VMI, while reserve keeper Heather Haag played the final 14 minutes and also had four saves. Neither Austin Peay goalkeeper made a save on the day.

VMI women’s soccer will return to action next Friday, August 27, as the Keydets play host to the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs at Patchin Field. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.