DAVIDSON, N.C. - A first-half goal and assist by senior Melanee Smith helped carry the Davidson women's soccer team to a season-opening 2-1 win over visiting Virginia Tech in front of 968 Wildcat fans on Saturday night at Alumni Stadium.
Smith and junior Kyri Bye-Nagel (Hanau, Germany) provided the Wildcat offense as Davidson opened the season 1-0, while Tech fell to 0-1. The opening season win at home is the Wildcats first since it defeated Charlotte 1-0 back in 2004.
The 'Cats picked up right where they left off from a standout 2007 campaign by striking first in the 36th minute of the first half thanks to the nice touch of Smith and the great speed of Bye-Nagel.
After the Hokies had worked the ball down into Wildcat territory, which brought up Virginia Tech's defense, Smith stole the ball and send a long pass over midfield to an open Bye-Nagel, who had but one defender to beat. Gathering in the ball, Bye-Nagel raced down the middle of the field and broke past the sliding Hokie goalkeeper Ashley Owens, who came out of the box to try and stop Bye-Nagel, for an open-net goal and a 1-0 Davidson lead.
Davidson then struck again, this time off a corner kick by sophomore Allison Drutchas (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) on the far side. Drutchas sent the ball into the goalie box where senior Tracy McCausland (Albuquerque, N.M.) received it and fired off a shot. It was blocked by Owens, but the rebound went right to Smith on the near post where she easily chipped the ball in and gave the Wildcats a 2-0 margin.
Smith's goal proved to be the game-winner as Virginia Tech came out in the second half very aggressive and pressed the 'Cats defense the majority of the half. Tech's aggressiveness paid off at the 52:49 mark when Julian Johnson sent a throw in deep into the 18-yard box where Jennifer Harvey raised up and headed the ball into the top-right corner to cut the Davidson lead in half at 2-1.
The Hokies would get a couple more close looks late in the second half, but the excellent goalkeeping by junior Loring Ward (Charleston, S.C.) and a solid defensive effort from her teammates in front of her carried the Wildcats to a 2-1 victory.
Ward came on mid-way through the second half in relief of freshman Christy Carry (Dallas, Texas) to pick up three saves. Carry in her first collegiate game, and start, closed with two saves. Owens for Virginia Tech registered one save.
Virginia Tech did out shoot Davidson by the count of 13-6, including picking up nine shots in the second half, while also earning seven corner kicks to Davidson's one.
Davidson now gears up for the first of two in-season tournaments when it heads to Macon, Ga. to play in the Mercer Tournament. The Wildcats will square off against host Mercer on Friday, Aug. 29 and then Kennesaw State on Sunday, Aug. 31. Gametimes are set for 7 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
36:41 DAV Kyri Bye-Nagel (Melanee Smith)
38:09 DAV Melanee Smith (Tracy McCausland)
52:49 VT Jennifer Harvey (Julian Johnson)