ASHLAND, Va. - Sophomore
Lilly Fowler (Phoenix, Md./Notre Dame Prep) tallies four goals and four assists, leading the Yellow Jackets to a dominant win over Virginia Wesleyan in the first round of the ODAC Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
Score: Randolph-Macon 26, Virginia Wesleyan 6
Venue: Ashland, Va. // Randolph-Macon College // Day Field
Records: Randolph-Macon (13-5, 6-3 ODAC), Virginia Wesleyan (5-12, 3-6 ODAC)
How It Happened
- In the first two minutes of play, it would be the visiting Marlins to kick off the scoring for the afternoon. But this lead wouldn't last long as the Yellow Jackets would score five straight goals to take a commanding lead only five minutes into the game. Fowler's afternoon got off to a fast start as she provided a goal and two assists during the five minute stretch. Virginia Wesleyan looked to find a little momentum and a way back into the game by ending the RMC run with a goal of their own. But one minute later, a goal by Maggie Muldoon (Prince Frederick, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) would mark the beginning of another Yellow Jackets 5-0 run. Rianna Lowery (Bel Air, Md./Notre Dame Prep), Evie McNeally (Severna Park, Md./Archbishop Spalding), and Muldoon each scored their second goal of the first period on this run. After the Marlins netted their third goal, the Yellow Jackets would end the first period by scoring three more times, bringing the score to 13-3.
- The second period would start just like the first, by the Marlins opening up the scoring inside the first two minutes. But once again RMC responded, this time thanks to Lowery scoring three more goals, bringing her total to five for the afternoon. Then in the final minute of the half, Sophomore Kiley Kurcoba (White Marsh, Md./Perry Hall) would score to give the Yellow Jackets a dominant 17-5 lead heading into the break.
- RMC would open up the second half scoring by way of Senior Annie Bartley (Richmond, Va./Mills Godwin). Virginia Wesleyan would respond with a goal of their own just two minutes later. But once again the Yellow Jackets would score five straight unanswered goals. Caty Benton (Richmond, Va./Mills E. Godwin) and Jordyn Schwartz (Reistertown, Md./St. Paul's) would start the run, while Fowler and Muldoon would combine for the other three goals. This 5-0 Yellow Jackets run would bring the score to 23-6 heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
- The final period was quieter than the first three as there were only three goals to be scored. The Yellow Jackets would shut out the visitors in the final period and win the first round game 26-6, securing their spot in the second round of the ODAC Tournament.
By The Numbers
- Six different Yellow Jackets would score multiple goals on the afternoon. Lowery led the way with five, Fowler and Evie McNeally both had four, Muldoon added three, and Bartley and Taylor Mittelstadter (Chesterfield, Va./Manchester) each added two.
- Five more RMC players entered their names on the score sheet. Anna Snoddy (Palmyra, Va./Univ. of Lynchburg), Cami McNeally (Severna Park, Md./Archbishop Spalding), Kaleigh Mulligan (Dunkirk, Md./Northern), Schwartz, Kurcoba, and Benton all added one goal.
- Fowler had a game-high four assists, while Schwartz and Bartley each had two.
- The Yellow Jackets had 36 shots while the Marlins only had 16. RMC also went 16-for-18 on clear attempts.
- The Yellow Jackets had 22 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers as a team.
- As for the RMC goalies Gillian Gladden (Taneytown, Md./Francis Scott Key) had five saves, while Ellen Stark (McLean, Va./Oakcrest) had three, and Emma Taylor (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown) had one.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will hit the road to take on #4 Lynchburg in the second round of the ODAC Tournament on Tuesday, April 30.
