The Chattanooga soccer Mocs beat VMI 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field in Lexington, Va., claiming a fourth consecutive victory.
The Mocs improved to 6-7-3 overall and 5-3 in SoCon play to move into sole possession of third place in the Southern Conference standings. VMI falls to 5-9-2 on the year and 1-6-1 against the league.
“Difficult match against a tough VMI team, but we’re pleased to come away with six points from two challenging road games,” Mocs head coach Gavin McKinney said. “The squad is excited to return home for our regular season finale against Western Carolina.”
VMI got on the board in the second minute, but it was all the offense the Keydets could muster.
Caroline Richvalsky fired off the equalizer in the 17th minute for her team-leading sixth goal of the season. Clarissa Salinas, running down the right side, sent the ball over to Richvalsky in the top right corner of the penalty area. She then spun around the defenders and hit a left-footed shot into the left side of the net as the VMI keeper’s dive was a little too late.
VMI had a strong opportunity for a go-ahead goal in the 30th minute with Emma Rice shooting inside the penalty area in front of the box. Caroline Ekern made the first stop with her feet and it bounced back to Rice who shot again. Ekern again made a stop with her feet but then dove on the ball to end the threat.
The Mocs scored just before the half to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room at intermission.
Richvalsky, on the front end, sent the ball down to Nicole Solete who had the ball on the right outside the box. She kept it off the opponent’s foot and sent it across to Sophia Mize who, with one step, buried what would prove to be the game winner into the top right corner of the net as time ran out in the opening frame.
Chattanooga scored its third goal in the 78th minute. EG Dillard raced to the touch line to get the ball before it rolled out and sent a pass into the box and found Salinas. Her header hit off the cross bar, rebounding back to her. Before the Keydet’s keeper could find her feet, she put it into the back of the net to make it 3-1.
The teams were even on shots at 13 apiece and the Keydets edged UTC 6-5 on shots on goal. Salinas and Richvalsky had a game-high four shots each. The Mocs had seven corners to VMI’s three and keeper Caroline Ekern had five saves.
Chattanooga takes sole possession of third place in the Southern Conference standings and closes out the season Sunday, Oct. 27 at home against league-leading Western Carolina. The game kicks off at 2 p.m.
