Box Score Hollins Hangs on for 3-1 Win
SWEET BRIAR, Va. --- First-year Emily Spivey (Dillwyn, Va.) and senior Sierra Palmieri (Ft. Collins, Colo.) combined mid-way through the second half to put the Vixens on the board during the Old Dominion Athletic Conference mid-week match. Wednesday's fixture was the second in as many weeks to be threatened by weather. Despite the grey skies and light drizzle, fans came out en masse as part of the "Fill the Hill" campaign at Babcock Field.
Both teams pushed the pace early in the match, but neither side found the back of the net during the opening period. In the second half, Hollins scored the game's first goal off of a free kick taken by Kelli Kitchens ('15/Roanoke, Va.) at the 53:03 mark. Just over a minute later Hollins struck again, as Dani Franklin ('14/Chesapeake Beach, Md.) connected with Alicia Johns ('13/Locus Grove, Va.) via a well played through ball on the left side. The Vixens continued to battle for a score and equalizer. In the 65th minute Hollins converted off of a corner when Ashley Smith ('15/Roanoke, Va.) knocked in a loose ball in the box for the third and final visitor goal.
Within six minutes of Emily Spivey entering the game, the first-year forward scored her second career goal. Spivey and Palmieri teamed up on a nice combination play, beating the lunging Hollins keeper just inside the 6-yard box. The score energized the Vixen side as the clock counted down. The Vixens kept up the attack. They held the advantage in corner kicks, five to four over the visitors. Palmieri and Alison Lifka ('13/Asheville, N.C.) both had several good opportunities, but were not able to score in the final stages of the game.
Hollins held on for the remaining 27 minutes to escape with their first ODAC win of the season. Both teams played a physical match from one end of the pitch to the other. Sweet Briar was whistled for 11 fouls to Hollins' four and each side was booked for a yellow card after several verbal cautions from the center official. Vixen net minder Seanne Weekes ('12/San Jose, Calif.) recorded 11 stops in goal. With the loss, SBC falls to 1-12 overall and 0-10 in conference play.
The Vixens return to Babcock Field one last time this season. On Saturday, October 22, Sweet Briar hosts Emory and Henry College. Prior to the 2pm match, six seniors will be honored.
