BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Four goals in each half, including a hat trick from freshman Sahar Aflaki and two scores from Julie Ruh'e fueled Radford women's soccer past Southern Virginia, 8-0, in the season-opener Saturday night at Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium.

In their first collegiate game, Aflaki (pictured right) posted three goals and an assist on the night and Ruh'e (pictured left) recorded two goals and assisted on the first goal of the match.

"The college game is much faster and more physical, but it's a fun experience and I love the girls already.  Hopefully we can continue this way and have a good season this year," said Aflaki. 

"I thought we played great.  I think we will go far if we keep it up," said Ruh'e after her two-goal performance. 

The Highlander offense was on the attack all night, firing 49 total shots with 27 being on goal. 13 different Highlanders recorded a shot in the match.

Radford scored 1:23 into the match when Ruh'e served a cross on the far side of the six-yard box to Latrice Lee, who one touched it into the wide open net for the first score of the game and season. Ruh'e and Aflaki combined to score the next four goals, including strikes 26 seconds apart in the first half.

Aflaki tacked on one more goal late in the match to complete her hat trick.

Senior SharDavia Bell and sophomore Rachel Webber also scored for the Highlanders.

Che' Brown and Allyson Brown split time in goal for the Highlanders with Allyson Brown recording a second-half save.

Mariah Flake and Briar Sands also split time for the Knights. Flake made six stops while Sands recorded eight saves.

Radford has a six-day break until they travel to Francis Marion on Friday, August 27th for a 4 p.m. match.