Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Radford exploded for six unanswered goals, two by junior Niamh Connolly, during an 18-minute span to defeat William & Mary, 6-1, in front of a large alumni contingent Sunday afternoon at Busch Field.

After falling behind 1-0 in the 26th minute, the Highlanders (4-0) recorded six goals during the outburst that spanned both halves. It was keyed by a six-minute (6:21) second-half surge that cushioned Radford's 2-1 halftime advantage and allowed the Highlanders their first 4-0 start since 1983.

The Highlanders knocked off the Tribe (1-3) for the first time since a 3-2 victory at the 1996 CAA tournament, as well as earning its first ever road win over William & Mary in 16 tries.

Trailing 1-0, the Highlanders were awarded a penalty stroke during a corner late in the 31st minute. Junior Ellie Staples took advantage as she successfully converted the stroke and knotted the contest at 1-1 with her first collegiate goal.

With just over a minute to go in the first half, Connolly gave Radford the lead for good knocking in a cross from junior Madonna Wadolowski.

The first half goal by William & Mary's Erica Eng was the first allowed by Radford this season.

The Highlanders came out of fire in the second half and Connolly was the first to cash in at 42:26, ripping one in from the left after a feed from senior Kay Tufts.

That opened up the floodgates for the Highlanders as junior Courtney Poole, senior Lara Cariker and Wadolowski netted unassisted goals over the next 3:27.

The Highlanders out shot the Tribe, 21-16, led by Cariker's game-high five shots, while both teamsß managed seven corners.

Senior Jennifer Wisniewski made four stops in goal for Radford and snuffed out several Tribe breakaways in the second half. She was also helped out by Cariker and Staples, who each made a defensive save.

Wisniewski and the Highlander defense have allowed just one goal in the first four matches.

Camila Hill and Elizabeth Frey each made six saves. Hill allowed all six goals, while Frey kept Radford off the board the rest of the match.

Along with snapping a nine-game slide against the Tribe, the Highlanders scored their first triumph over a CAA school since 2003 (3-2 at Towson), ending a 16-game streak against the respective conference.

Radford returns to action on Friday, Sep. 10 at another CAA institution, Towson, at 6 p.m.