CONWAY – After falling short in several close games this season, the Coastal Carolina women’s soccer team broke through in the win column with a 3-0 rout of VMI at the CCU Soccer Field on Saturday morning.  The win improves the Chanticleers to 1-11-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the Big South.

Coastal took the field in dominating fashion as the teal and black clad Chanticleers relentlessly pressured on the VMI defense posting six shots and two corners in the first 18 minutes.  Morgan Thomas opened the scoring for the Chants as she converted a penalty kick in the 26^th minute.  The score was the second of Thomas’ career to come by way of a penalty kick as she also knocked one home against UNC Wilmington in 2010. 

Just over two minutes later Coastal found nylon once again as sophomore Hannah Brown scored her first goal of the season.  Alyssa Clark initiated the scoring opportunity with a long range shot that deflected off the crossbar and to the foot of Brown who easily slotted the ball into the open net.  The goal gave Coastal its first multi-goal lead of the season. 

The Chants would attempt three more shots, bringing their first half total to 12, before taking the 2-nil lead into the intermission. 

Coastal continued building their offensive attack in the second stanza as the Chants c found passing lanes in the Keydet defense that led to numerous shots.  Through the first 20 minutes of the half, Coastal limited the VMI attack to only one shot as the Chants maintained possession on the Keydets’ side of the field.

Cami Skladany would put the game out of reach in the 76^th minute as she scored the first goal of her collegiate career.  A well placed corner kick into the box by Thomas found the head of Skladany, who proceeded to hammer the ball into the right side of the net.   

After several substitutions by Coastal, VMI was able to piece together late possessions; however, the Chanticleers held the Keydets without a shot to secure the 3-0 victory.

“This was a much needed win,” said head coach Paul Hogan.  “We were able to put together a complete match today after playing well in different aspects of the game over the past several matches.  Hopefully, this win will provide us a good springboard through the remainder of conference play.”

Chanticleer keeper Saundra Baron went relatively untested as she finished the day with one save to turn in the first clean sheet of her collegiate career. 

At the final horn, Coastal held a commanding 20-2 advantage in shots, including 6-1 edge is shots on frame.  The Chanticleers also out-cornered their guests 6-1.

Coastal returns to action at 3 p.m. on Oct. 13 at UNC Asheville.  Coastal defeated the Bulldogs 4-1 in the squad’s last meeting.