VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Sophomore defender
Cameron Grainger (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day) scored in the 56th minute to power the Washington and Lee women's soccer team to a 1-0 win at Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday evening.
The Generals improve to 9-2-2 overall and 4-1-2 in the ODAC with the win, while the Marlins fall to 7-5-1 overall and 5-1 in league play with the loss.
With the game still scoreless through 56 minutes of play, W&L gained possession in its defensive third, and senior forward
Emily Leding (Little Rock, Ark./Pulaski Academy) ended up with the ball around midfield. Leding brought the ball up the field and found senior midfielder
Erin Hoeh (Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga) on the left side. Hoeh controlled the pass, stopped and passed back to Grainger, who one-timed a left-footed shot from outside the box and into the top-right corner of the frame.
Senior goalkeeper
Grace Coombs (Boca Raton, Fla./Saint Andrews School) (8-2-2) played a critical role in keeping the Marlins off the board, as she made six saves across the 90 minutes of play. Coombs made three saves in both halves, as the six saves are the second most she has posted in a game this season and it is tied for the third most in a game in her career.
The Marlins controlled the offensive chances in the first half, taking seven shots and allowing just one, however the Generals seized control in the second half with a 9-4 advantage. In total, Virginia Wesleyan edged W&L in shot attempts, 11-10.
Grainger's goal came on her only shot of the game, and she is now tied for second on the team this season with four goals. Hoeh logged her team-leading fifth assist of the season and finished with one shot. Junior midfielder
Caitlin Barnes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) and sophomore midfielder
Louisa Bynum (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) led the offense with two shots apiece.
Virginia Wesleyan sophomore midfielder Adrianna Gunther tallied a game-high three shots and sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Quigley (7-5-1) made one save in 90 minutes of action.
The Generals will return to action on Friday at 7:00 pm against Shenandoah in their final home game of the regular season. Prior to kick-off, the Generals will honor the senior class.
