SWEET BRIAR, Va. — Sweet Briar senior Lacey Tucker scored the first goal of her collegiate career, on Senior Day, as the Vixens dropped an 8-1 decision to Shenandoah at the Sweet Briar College Soccer Field.
"I was very proud of how focused and organized we stayed throughout most of the first half, making them have to really work to find any high quality opportunities," said head coach Jason Capps.
The Vixens (0-12-1, 0-6-0 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) scored their first conference goal of the season in the 86th minute when junior Caylin Newman (Bedford, Va.) drew a penalty at the edge of the box. Tucker (Swansboro, N.C.) stepped up to the spot and slotted the penalty past Shenandoah (10-5-0, 5-2-0) goalkeeper Autumn Delellis.
"I was happy to see us go at them late and earn that PK," said Capps. "Of course getting to see Lacey put one in the back of the net, for numerous reasons, was a special moment for us. We are fortunate to have Lacey, Courtney and Victoria, three solid seniors on this team who have led us well in their own ways on and off the field. That, and the energy after it, was a great moment to wrap up senior day for this class."
A penalty is how the Hornets got on the board in the 24th minute when Emily Yergin drew a foul and Brittany Bessette converted the ensuing spot-kick.
"We simply have to stop compounding mistakes," Capps added. "We let one mistake turn in three or four in a row which led directly to the foul and PK. You cannot compound your mistakes and keep it scoreless in our conference."
The match-winner for Shenandoah came in the 30th minute when Sara Sonnak assisted on a goal by Yergin.
Yergin scored her second goal in the 39th minute, to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half saw the visitors tally five goals before Tucker's spot-kick in the 86th minute.
Sweet Briar seniors Victoria Lawson (Shipman, Va.), Courtney Nelson (Richmond, Va. ) and Tucker (Swansboro, N.C.) were honored before Saturday's match.
In goal, first-year Katelyn Meyer (Smithsburg, Md.) recorded a career-high 22 saves.
The Vixens hit the road on October 23 for a 4 p.m. ODAC meeting with Hollins.
