William & Mary women battle VCU to scoreless draw in exhibition match

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Via Tribe Athletics) – The William & Mary women’s soccer team battled VCU to a scoreless draw in their only exhibition tune-up of the 2015 season.

W&M outshot the VCU 14-11, including a 8-6 advantage in shots on goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net for a game-winner. Senior goalkeeper Caroline Casey made six saves, earning the shutout.

VCU opened the game with a quick chance in the sixth minute. Julia Suarez took a corner kick that had to be punched away by Casey to avoid a goal.

The Tribe responded quickly with chance in the 10th minute. Sophomore Rachel Moore created some space and fired shot into the hands of VCU goalkeeper Emma Kruse.

At the break, the shots were knotted at five apiece, but the Rams had a slight edge in shots on goal by a 3-2 margin.

W&M opened the second half with a flurry in the 51st and 52nd minute. The first shot came from sophomore Sami Grasso, but Kruse turned it away. Moments later, junior Haley Kavanaugh found space and rocketed a shot to the lower right corner of the open net, but a VCU defender stepped in front, earning a team save.

Arguably the Tribe’s best chance came in the 61st minute of the match. A cross found the head of senior Katie Johnston, who flicked the ball towards the cage. However, Kruse made a diving save to preserve the 0-0 tie.

In the second half, Casey was challenged with six shots by the Rams. She turned away all three that were on frame.

Johnston led the Tribe with three shots, all on target. Seniors Leci Irvin and Nicole Baxter, Kavanaugh, and Moore each finished with two shots apiece, while both of Kavanaugh’s shots were on frame.

Megan Dell, Sharon Wojcki, and Julia Suarez each fired two shots for the Rams. Emma Kruse recorded six saves, while Audrey Sanderson record one, and the team was credited with a save.

W&M opens the 2015 regular season in the Fairfield Inn by Marriot JMU Invite against Seton Hall on Friday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m. The second match of the tournament will be against No. 25 Georgetown on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 11:30 a.m.