Offense Lifts Women’s Soccer Past Sacred Heart

Friday, August 21

West Point, N.Y.

7 PM

Army West Point

1-0-0

Sacred Heart

0-1-0

Sacred Heart

Army West Point

Offense Lifts Women’s Soccer Past Sacred Heart

August 21, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Four different players scored for Army West Point as the Black Knights secured a 4-2 season-opening victory over Sacred Heart on Friday evening at Clinton Field.

Seniors Bailey Widman and Katie Holder each scored, sophomore Clare Shea contributed two assists, and rookies Kayleigh Stallings and Brigid Tracy added tallies for Army West Point in the win.

"I think the contributions across the board from the freshmen has been really important, on the field tonight and in training," third-year head coach Marcia McDermott said. "They are making a difference in our program. I also commend the leadership of our seniors, who did a great job calming us when the game started tonight."

The Black Knights seized control from the opening whistle and quickly took a 1-0 lead a little more than seven minutes into the match. Shea corralled the ball on the left side and lifted a pass toward the goal line that Holder ran onto and crossed back toward the top of the 18-yard box. The low pass to Widman set up a one-timer that rippled the netting behind Sacred Heart keeper Talia Schwartz.

The visiting Pioneers wasted little time in coming up with an equalizing tally four minutes after Widman's marker. A fortunate bounce put Melanie DaSilva in behind the Army West Point back line and her right-footed shot was deflected by the right hand of goalkeeper Jordan Cassalia. The ball ricocheted off the inside of the post and tied the match at a goal apiece.

Midway through the initial half, Stallings made her first-career start a memorable one when she capitalized on a cross that squirted through traffic. The goal was once again set up by Shea, who freed herself of a defender with a step-over move prior to whipping in a bouncing cross into the mix.

Stallings' score sent Army West Point into the halftime locker room with a 2-1 lead, much to the delight of the boisterous Clinton Field crowd.

"One of the biggest differences for us tonight was the fans," McDermott commented. "It was a great crowd, they were really into it and they made a tremendous difference for our team. We really appreciate their support."

The first scoring opportunity of the second period went to the Pioneers when DaSilva won a 50-50 ball and was briefly free behind the back line. Her right-footed chip from just outside the corner of the penalty area slid just wide of the far post.

The Cadets maintained their one-goal cushion until Holder provided a necessary insurance goal in the 78th minute. Senior Hanna Rozzi launched a long pass over the top that bounced once before Holder unleashed a vicious volley under the bar to extend the lead to 3-1.

Sacred Heart refused to go away and took advantage of an 85th minute hand ball that led to a successful penalty kick by Alex Mesropyan to pull back within a goal.

The threat was short-lived as Tracy countered with a shot that beat Schwartz from outside the penalty area, exactly a minute later. Schwartz ended the night with three saves in a losing effort.

"It is nice to start off with a win," McDermott added. "We played really good soccer for periods of time, we played the kind of style we wanted and it is good to get the 'W'. We have a lot of things to work on in order to reach our goals this year, but this is a great start."

The Black Knights play their first road contest of the season on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Delaware. Kickoff against the Blue Hens is set for 1 p.m.

Game Notes: Army West Point improved to 17-11-2 in season openers … the Black Knights moved to 22-7-1 in home-opening matches … the Army West Point-Sacred Heart all-time series stands at 2-1-1 in favor of the Black Knights … Samantha Sullenger, Brooke Richardson, Kayleigh Stallings and Sydney Witham each made their first-career starts … Holder increased her career total to 12 goals … Widman's first-half score was the fifth of her career … Rozzi's assist on Holder's goal was the first of her career.