LEXINGTON, Va. – One goal in each half propelled the No. 9 Washington and Lee women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over No. 18 Carnegie Mellon on Sunday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Championship.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Generals (18-2-2) put a couple shots on goal in the early stages of the game, including one that was stopped on the right post by CMU keeper Maddie Kellogg. That chance came from a Mary Parrish Green corner kick that curled inward and nearly made its way across the line.
- Just five minutes later, W&L capitalized on a hole in the defense for their first goal. Sophomore Elizabeth Zimmerman fought past a couple defenders on the near side, maintained possession and found senior Sarah Zimmerman for a hard from near the penalty spot that rocketed into the back of the net.
- The Tartans put together a couple spells of possession in the first half, but solid defending from the Blue and White kept it a one-goal game by halftime. Sophomore Kate McEnroe made one save in the first half, a comfortable stop in the 30th minute.
- W&L wasted little time in the second half to cushion the lead. E. Zimmerman, again, made a run into the box in the 52nd minute before finding sophomore Aubrey Dunbar for a shot from in close. Dunbar had her shot saved by Kellogg, but senior Helen Otteni followed up for the rebound goal.
- Carnegie Mellon managed just two additional shots on goal in the second half, neither of which challenged McEnroe in goal. In total, W&L allowed just four shot attempts in the second half.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- S. Zimmerman's goal marked her 17th of the season, and it was also the seventh straight game in which she has scored a goal. Otteni's goal was her seventh of the season.
- E. Zimmerman got an assist on her older sister's goal in the first half for her 10th helper of the season. Dunbar received credit for an assist on the Otteni goal, her first this season.
- Otteni and S. Zimmerman combined for seven shots and five on goal, with Green adding an additional two shots on target. Margherita Memoli led CMU with three shot attempts.
- McEnroe ended the day with three saves to record her eighth shutout of the season. Kellogg totaled five saves in 81:28 of action.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The win pushes the Generals into the NCAA Round of 16 for the second consecutive season. It will be their fifth appearance in the Round of 16, while it is the second time in program history appearing in consecutive Rounds of 16 (2002-03).
- S. Zimmerman is now tied with Anne Van Devender '09 (2008) and Karin Treese '99 (1998) for the fifth-most goals scored in a season at 17. It was also Zimmerman's 42nd career goal, tied with Tricia Jessee '17 for fourth most in program history.
- E. Zimmerman became the first General to reach double-digit assists in a single season since Van Devender finished the 2008 season with 11. Overall, her 10 helpers this season are tied with Van Devender (2007) and Treese (1995) for the fifth most in a season.
- With their 18th win of the season on Sunday, the Generals now have the third-most wins in a season in program history. Coupled with last season's 20 victories, it is the most wins in any two-year span in program history.
TEAM STATS:
- The Blue and White held a two-shot advantage over the Tartans for the game. Both sides took seven in the first half, and there was a 6-4 W&L edge in the second half.
- The Generals owned all seven corner kick attempts in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Generals now wait to see who they will draw in the Round of 16, and where they will play. They would play the advancing team between No. 6 Pomona-Pitzer and Puget Sound, which kicks off tonight at 6:00 p.m. The location of next weekend's Round of 16 and quarterfinal round will be announced once all four teams are determined.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
