EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Women's Soccer Team (5-2, 1-2 SAC) earned its first South Atlantic Conference win of the season Sunday afternoon as the Wasps drubbed Mars Hill University (1-5, 0-3 SAC). E&H tallied three goals in the first half and one more in the second as they cruised to the 4-0 victory. The four-goal win is the Wasps' largest margin of victory in conference play since defeating Hollins 5-0 during the 2019 season.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 4, Mars Hill 0
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Food City Sports Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-2, 1-2 SAC); Mars Hill (1-5, 0-3 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Wasps controlled play through the beginning of the game as they created scoring opportunities and outshot the visiting Lions by a 6-1 margin in the first 30 minutes. E&H tallied the first goal of the game in the 33rd minute when senior defender Olivia DaSilva (Newton, N.J.) curled a free kick past the outstretched arms of the MHU goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The Wasps struck again in the 40th minute after a cross from junior defender Bella Fairley (Chesapeake, Va.) found the feet of junior forward Charlotte Stavis (Charlotte, N.C.), who slotted the ball into the back of the net to give E&H a two-goal cushion. Emory & Henry rounded out the first-half scoring with just 16 seconds remaining on the clock when senior defender Dylan Copeland (Salem, Va.) converted a throw-in to freshman forward Bailey Springman (Sarasota, Fla.) who beat the Mars Hill keeper to balloon the lead out to 3-0 at the half.
- Emory & Henry continued to create chances to start the second frame as they fired four more attempts in the direction of the Lions' goal in the first 20 minutes of the half, but the score remained 3-0. The Wasps put emphasis on the win in the 74th minute when Stavis nodded home a pass from DaSilva on a free kick chance to run the score to its eventual final at 4-0.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Stavis continued her impressive season as she recorded her seventh and eighth goals of the year on seven shots, four of which were on target. Stavis now leads the South Atlantic Conference in goals (8), points (16), shots (54) and shots on goal (35). DaSilva finished with a goal and an assist, giving her two of each on the season, including a pair of game-winning scores. Springman tallied her second goal of her young collegiate career on her lone shot of the afternoon.
- Junior goalkeeper Sophia Wagner (Front Royal, Va.) made a pair of saves in goal to earn her second consecutive shutout victory.
Mars Hill Individual Leaders
- Sophia Appello led the Lions with three shots while Delaney Griffin added a pair of attempts. Allie Kirkpatrick and Hadley Aiken each recorded one shot.
- Kayleigh Palmer had four stops in net for Mars Hill.
Up Next
- The Wasps hit the road this Wednesday, October 1 when they travel to Jefferson City, Tennessee to take on the Eagles of Carson-Newman University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of a doubleheader with the men's team.
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