RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Highlanders women's soccer team managed to break a goalless streak but ultimately fell to Richmond, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Cupp Stadium.
Key stats
- Senior Haley Blake scored her second goal of the season that helped the contest at 1-1 just before halftime.
- Goalkeeper Lexi Radvanyi saved a penalty kick in the first half and ultimately finished with five saves in the contest.
- Radford outshot Richmond, 15-14, while also having the same number of shots on goal (7). They also managed to win eight corner kicks to Richmond's two.
- The loss gives the Highlanders back-to-back losses at Cupp for the first time since Oct. 4 and 12, 2022, vs. USC Upstate (0-2) and Longwood (0-1).
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Play by play
The Highlanders opened the contest looking for an early goal in the offensive half. A few offside calls stalled the build up to an opening shot. However, a corner kick sent in by Magda Carpenter nearly found the goal, as the kick was punched out by Richmond's Veronica Rrapi. Brooke Pearson added a shot from distance that missed high a moment later. Richmond logged their first shot in the 15th minute and began to put together some meaningful possession.
A key moment came in the 33rd minute, in what seemed like one of the Spiders' best chances at a goal. Hailey Crellin and Richmond's Kingsley Hughes were in the Radford box in what was initially called a foul on Richmond. After a Spider challenge, the call was reversed, with the Spiders getting a penalty kick and Crellin being shown a yellow card. Radvanyi stood tall and guessed right, diving to her right to make a save and keep the game tied.
A few minutes later, Richmond made the most of a corner kick, as Alex Reigle's header found the back of the net to give the Spiders a 1-0 lead. Radford answered quickly, with Ava Kertgate breaking through the defense to send a cross into the box. Blake headed the ball home to equalize the contest just before halftime for her second score of the season.
After a lightning delay, the Highlanders and Spiders returned to the field after a longer-than-usual halftime. A few looks for Radford were turned away, as shots by Ciaira Anderson and Carpenter were defended well. A goal kick for Richmond led to a chance right away, as Hughes got a steal and found Christina Stamoulacatos to score the eventual game-winning tally for Richmond. The Highlanders had just over a half hour to change the outcome of the contest.
Radford pushed forward, winning three corner kicks in a matter of four minutes with about 20 minutes remaining. However, only a deflected header by Pearson was able to show in the shot sheet from these chances. Blake added a second shot on goal that was saved with 10 minutes left, and Lilly Clayton sent a drive from distance that sailed over the crossbar. Pearson had a shot that was grabbed with five minutes left that turned out to be Radford's last strong chance to tie the contest.
Sohrabi quotable
"I'm honestly disappointed that we didn't get a better result today," began Head Coach Ben Sohrabi after the game. "We played some good soccer at times and moved the ball well. But I feel that we didn't create enough quality chances. And when we did, we weren't clinical in our finishing. I think that's a game that we can win."
Up next
The Highlanders are back in action next Sunday, September 13 at Cupp Stadium. They'll host East Tennessee State at 7 p.m., with the action streaming live on ESPN+.
Stay social with Radford women's soccer
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