BOX SCORE
BOX SCORE
LEXINGTON, Va. – Radford women's soccer clinched at least a share of the Big South regular season title for the second straight year on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to a 4-0 triumph at VMI and a two-goal performance by sophomore
Sahar Aflaki (Gainesville, Va./Battlefield).
The game-winning score came in the 21st minute on a strike by Aflaki. Goalkeeper
Lisa Lubke (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) launched a long and low ball up field to Aflaki whose shot from ten yards out beat the Keydets' keeper to the left. For Lubke, it was her third career assist and second this season.
The first career game-winner for Aflaki couldn't have come in a better situation, as it gave Radford (13-4, 8-1 Big South) its second straight Big South regular season title and third in program history. The Highlanders will be the No. 1 seed in the 2011 Big South Tournament Nov. 3-6.
In the 77th minute, a cross from
Julie Ruh'e (Monrovia, Md./Urbana) found Aflaki in the box, whose one touch in a sliding effort found the back of the net for her second goal of the game.
Ruh'e added her team-leading seventh goal of the year in the 35th minute on a cross from
Kathryn Johnston (Fairfax, Va./Robinson). The pass from the right corner found Ruh'e waiting just outside the six-yard box.
It was the second time Ruh'e and Aflaki netted a goal and at least assist in the same game. The other occurrence came in their very first collegiate game against Southern Virginia on Aug. 21, 2010.
Playing in only her second match of the season, freshman
Alexa Barnes (Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman) earned the fourth and final Highlander score. After her effort set up the corner, Barnes received a pass from redshirt-senior
Jourdan McDaniel (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) and capped the scoring.
Lubke picked up the win, only having to make one save while her counterpart Amanda Berrios made seven stops.
Five different Highlanders attempted at least three shots and Radford finished with a 24-7 shot advantage. VMI (3-12-2, 0-8-1 Big South) held the edge in corners, 8-6.
The Highlanders encounter a tough road contest at Campbell on Saturday, Oct. 29 in their regular season finale. Game time is set for 7:00.