SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Sweet Briar College soccer team (0-1-0, 0-0-0 ODAC) battled throughout its home opener against the Columbia College (S.C.) Koalas this afternoon, generating consistent attacking pressure but ultimately dropping a 5-0 decision at Meyer Field.
The Vixens recorded the first shot on goal of the afternoon when sophomore
Sadie Swart (Bowie, Md.) tested the Columbia goalkeeper in the 10th minute. Columbia answered with a goal in the 12th minute before extending its lead to 2-0 at 18:58.
Sweet Briar continued to look for answers in the opening half. Senior
Alexis Diaz (Connolly Springs, N.C.) forced saves in the 15th and 34th minutes, while sophomore
Elena Fomin (Middlesex County, Va.) also put an attempt on frame in the 22nd minute. Sophomore goalkeeper
Kylee Nickerson (Waterford, Mich.) kept the Vixens within reach with several key stops. Columbia added a third goal at 35:42 to take a 3-0 advantage into halftime.
The Vixens came out with energy after the break, but Columbia scored twice in the opening five minutes of the second half to build its 5-0 lead.
Sweet Briar continued to create chances as the half progressed. Swart placed efforts on target in the 56th and 61st minutes, while Diaz added three more shots on goal during the second period. Fomin narrowly missed wide in the 67th minute, and senior
Emily Michel (Centennial, Colo.) later forced a save in the 88th minute.
Diaz led the Vixens with a game-high seven shots, and all seven were on target. Swart added three shots on goal while Fomin and Michel each contributed a shot on frame. As a team, Sweet Briar finished with 14 shots and 12 shots on goal, outshooting Columbia 9-12 in the second half after putting five shots up in the opening 45 minutes.
Nickerson made seven saves in the first half, while first-year
Arianna Nguyen (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) matched her with seven saves over the final 45 minutes. The duo combined for 14 saves against Columbia's 24-shot attack.
Highlights
- Both Nickerson and Nguyen made their collegiate debuts in goal today.
- Diaz led the team with seven shots on goal.
What's Next
The Vixens will head to Regent on Sept. 5th.
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