VMI defeats Patriots 3-0

September 20, 2015

LEXINGTON, VA – VMI scored three goals in the opening 36 minutes en route to a 3-0 victory over Francis Marion University, Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20) on the final day of the VMI Women’s Soccer Tournament.

The match was a de-facto championship contest as both squads won their opening matches on Friday. FMU senior defender Janise Finney and junior midfielder Tori Whigham were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Francis Marion (2-9-0) will return to action on Wednesday with a neutral site match against Clayton State University at 7 p.m. on the campus of USC Aiken. The next home match for FMU will be Oct. 3 when Longwood University comes to Hartzler Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

VMI (4-5-0) received goals from Juliet Esnardo in the 15th minute, Eryn Daman in the 24th minute, and Liz Nickerson in the 36th minute.

Junior Kelly Anthony accounted for three of Francis Marion’s seven shots. The Keydets recorded 20 shots and led 8-1 in corner kicks.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Casey Murakami replaced starter Taylor O’Berry in the 26th minute with VMI leading 2-0 and went on to register three saves.

Darien Dunham and Emily Marbury combined on the shutout for VMI with Dunham recording the only save of the afternoon for the Keydets off a shot from FMU senior defender Kristyn Leung in the 42nd minute.

VMI (4-5-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (2-9-0) 3-0

Date: Sep 20, 2015 Attendance: 150

Weather: 76 degrees, 5-7 MPH W, partly cloudy

Goals by period 1 2 Tot

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Francis Marion Univ. 0 0 - 0

VMI................. 3 0 - 3

SCORING SUMMARY:

1. 14:06 VMI Juliet Esnardo (Olivia Cotton) - Breakaway cross to 8, shot into left corner

2. 23:30 VMI Eryn Daman (Juliet Esnardo) - Breakaway, snuck into lower left corner

3. 35:41 VMI Liz Nickerson (Sydnie Bligh)

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 7, VMI 20 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Casey Murakami 3), VMI 1 (Darien Dunham 1, Emily Marbury 0)