Box Score CARY, N.C. --- Vixen Soccer traveled to Cary, N.C. looking for a third opening day win in as many years against the Pacers of William Peace University. The home team had a different game plan however, and upended the youthful Vixens by the score of 3 – 0 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Friday night lights affair marked a number of firsts for the Sweet Briar side. Eight newcomers, including five starters, debuted for the Vixens.
Both teams appeared tentative in the opening minutes. The Pacers were the first to find their rhythm. In the early stages of the half, the hosts found the back of the net three times. Just eight minutes in, Melissa Moran '13 (Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road) took advantage of a flat Vixen backline. The senior sent a ball over the top and rookie forward Marianna Mitterling (Raliegh, N.C./ Broughton) pounced on the pass and tucked the ball just inside the far post for the initial score.
Three minutes later Sweet Briar's first-year netminder Katherine Tillson (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) faced a series of shots. Tillson turned away a shot for a save off a corner kick, but Pacer Anna Tew '16 (Wilson, N.C./Fike) found herself in the right place at the right time. The forward collected a teammate's rebound in the box and knocked it in for goal two. The home team notched their finally tally in the 12th minute when a streaking Sabre Jessup '15 (Elizabethtown, N.C./Lumberton) connected on an assist from Shelby Hammond '16 (Clayton, N.C./Clayton).
As the half carried on, Sweet Briar gained its balance. Vixen Head Coach Kevin Fabulich inserted Jelveh Spence '16 (Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith) into the back line. The substitution proved profitable as the SBC side picked up the tempo and pushed the attack. The Vixen squad generated several scoring opportunities, but could not convert.
Katherine Day '16 (Clifton Forge, Va./James River) and Ali Lifka '13(Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson) hooked up for chance at goal, but nothing would come of the attempt. Chelsea Kane subbed into the contest at the 26:18 mark, giving fellow first-year Lynn Lunde (Dallas, Tex./Creekview) a breather. Fresh legs and a foul drawn by Emily Spivey '15 (Dillwyn, Va. / Buckingham County) afforded the visitors another chance to score, but Marissa McCord's (Asheville, N.C. / T.C. Roberson) free kick went begging as it skirted through the William Peace box untouched.
The opening stanza ended with WPU carrying a three-goal lead. Sweet Briar, refreshed and settled after the half, put together a more cohesive second period. Within minutes Sweet Briar took aim at the Pacer defense and tested goalie Sydney Melchert '16 (Reidsville, N.C./Reidsville), however, the first-year shot-stopper was equal to the task. Through the half the Vixens continued to test the Pacer defense, taking a total of nine shots in the final period.
WPU reeled off nine shots of their own, but to no avail. Tillson fended all shots in the second half of her debut game. At the nights end, Tillson recorded nine stops on 12 shots faced. Fellow newcomers Lunde and McCord each tallied a shot on goal in their first career games for SBC while returners Spivey and Lifka put two shots a piece on frame.
Assistant Coach Amy Dahlin is pleased with the second half effort. "We were definitely more aggressive in the second half. We did not give up any goals and we took shots of our own."
Sweet Briar has a weeklong break in the playing schedule before returning to Babcock Field on September 8 for a contest with Bryn Mawr. Last season the Owls bested the Vixens in the Bryn Mawr Tournament. SBC will look to counter next Saturday; the game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Fans are invited to keep connected and learn more about Vixen Athletics via social media: Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blog and visit our Vixen YouTube channel.
