SWEET BRIAR, Va. --- After a 40 minute weather delay caused by an unexpected and fast moving storm system in central Virginia, the Peace College Pacers and Vixen soccer teams took the pitch for the season's first competition.  

The Pacers struck first off a mishandled corner kick barely six minutes into the match.  Peace College forward Melissa Moran ('14/Raleigh, NC) capitalized on the miscue in the box, sliding the ball just past encroaching Vixen goalkeeper, Lindsey Wilson ('14/Bedford, VA).  Nearly five minutes later, Sweet Briar leveled the score at one all when Sierra Palmieri ('12/Ft. Collins, CO) tallied the first of her three goals.  Seanne Weekes ('12/Los Gatos, CA) making her career debut as a defender, knocked a long ball to a streaking Palmieri on the right flank that lead to the initial Vixen score.

The Pacers attempted a quick counter, but to no avail.  Moran nearly beat a rushing Wilson, but the shot sailed wide right.  Ten minutes later, Rebecca Buechler ('14/Chesapeake, VA) connected with Palmieri on a nicely played through ball.  Palmieri collected the pass, beat a defender and ripped a shot for the unassisted score.  At two goals to one, Sweet Briar would not look back.

Emily Spivey ('15/Dillwyn, VA) an early game substitution by Head Coach Kevin Fabulich, proved fruitful immediately.  Spivey owned the flank, sprinting up and down the near sideline.  Her work-rate paid off.  Over mid-way through the first half, attack-minded senior defender Jacqueline Dodwell ('12/Springfield, IL) played a long ball down the left flank for Spivey.  Spivey dribbled into the box, tangled with a Pacer defender, regained control and slotted a shot near post for the Vixens third goal.  Spivey's goal was the first in her career as a Vixen soccer player.  The first half ended with both teams pushing the tempo.  The Pacers and Vixens soccer teams each put up two shots in the final nine minutes.

A rested Pacers unit charged out of the gates to start the second half.  Reba Hodge ('14/Raleigh, NC), Sabre Jessup ('14/Elizabethtown, NC) and Moran tested the Vixen defense early as they fired three shots in four minutes.  Wilson turned away a point blank rocket launched by Jessup and then grabbed the rebound shot taken by Moran.  Minutes later, Palmieri would return the favor at the other end with back-to-back attempts in the 67^th minute.  The Pacers did not waver. They continued to feed passes into the attacking third, looking to generate more scoring opportunities.

With 11 minutes remaining in the contest, Sweet Briar's Palmieri scored the game's final goal by neatly chipping the ball over a sliding Pacer goalie.  Palmieri finished the game with three goals on eight shots.  Vixen goalkeeper Lindsay Wilson earned her first win of the season and her career.

The Vixens look to continue their winning ways this weekend when the travel north to play in the Bryn Mawr tournament.