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Women's Soccer

HIGHLANDERS EDGED IN OVERTIME AT WILLIAM & MARY, 2-1

BOX SCORE  

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Radford women's soccer was edged by William & Mary, 2-1, in overtime on Tuesday evening from Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Freshman Melanie Priestley staked the Highlanders (4-1-1) to an early 1-0 lead but the Tribe (3-1-2) evened it early in the second half and Dani Rutter scored the game-winner seven minutes into the first overtime.
 
For the Highlanders, the loss ends a remarkable 19-match regular season unbeaten streak and it is just the fourth time an opponent has scored more than a goal against Radford's stout defense in the last 25 contests. The Highlanders allowed just two goals on those four occasions.
 
"William & Mary is a great team that is coming off a regular season championship in one of the strongest soccer conferences in the nation," commented head coach Ben Sohrabi. "For us to be ahead, go into overtime and play with the heart we did tonight was tremendous. I am very proud of this group and look forward to conference play."
 
Priestley struck early as she pounced on a rebound of senior Sahar Aflaki's shot and blasted it into the back of the net for her first career goal, 3:45 into the contest.
 
The Highlanders survived several scoring opportunities by the Tribe after the initial strike and took a 1-0 lead into halftime. Senior Che' Brown made four saves in the first 45 minutes and also had help from the cross bar and her defense (two clearances). She finished the evening with a season-best seven saves.
 
However, the lead did not last long into the second stanza as Barbara Platenberg netted the equalizer just 2:22 into the period.
 
After neither team was able to break the deadlock in regulation, Rutter connected on the game-winner banging it in off the post after a cross from Platenberg in the 97th minute.
 
Radford will enjoy a week off before returning to the pitch on Wed., Sept. 25 when it hosts Presbyterian on the opening day of Big South play.
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