SALEM, W. Va. — Back on track.
The Lincoln Memorial University women's soccer team got back into its scoring groove Wednesday, netting three first-half goals before connecting on the same amount in the final 45 minutes to cap off the Lady Railsplitters' final non-conference schedule in impressive fashion, 6-0, over the Tigers in Salem, W. Va.
After a three-match goal drought,
Jessica Cravero found pay dirt early and often. The sophomore rolled one in midway through the 11 th minute, taking the assist from
Rachel Taylor into the bottom left corner for the early lead. Less than four minutes later, Taylor fed the ball to Cravero again, registering her fourth assist as the Italian moved into double-digit goals (10) on the season.
The 2-nil lead was added onto by
Lexi Bearden in her first start of the season as she deposited her first goal as a Lady Railsplitter via the foot of
Jessica Steen for her first assist of her senior campaign.
At halftime, LMU (10-4) carried a three-goal lead and had 15 shots (nine on goal) while limiting the Tigers to zero. For the match, LMU out-shot Salem (1-12) 27-to-1, and dominated corner kicks, 10-0. Over the course of the match, LMU was able to play 16 total, mirroring the fact that four different players scored and had assists with two in each category recording a pair to their name.
"Today was great for our young players to get some valuable minutes and not just run around, but have to solve some important problems against a low block that didn't allow much space," LMU head coach
Sean Fraser said, "it's games like that which allow us to develop the squad because different changes provide opportunities to problem solve and then grow. I'm happy for Navie and Lexi, scoring because young players need goals, while Rachel got two more assists and a goal which is brilliant for her!
"
Sydney Wolfenbarger got more great minutes and was outstanding! We have a player there that's so comfortable on the ball and has an intelligent brain that allows her to problem solve efficiently! That's why she's been in the games. We also managed to get
Jessica Steen some valuable time and she produced two excellent assists!!"
Taylor scored the Lady Railsplitters' first second-half goal in the 72nd minute via
Symantha Campos' assist, which was her first LMU assist and Taylor's eighth goal of the season.
Navie Webb then joined the scoring party, netting a pair of goals over a span of less than a minute for her first multi-goal performance of her young career to cap off the six-goal lead.
Sarah Morrow recorded her first assist as a Lady Railsplitter while Steen passed across her second of the day, paving way to Webb's goals in the 85th and 86th minutes.
"Navie has done a great job as a freshman but continues to add to her game," Fraser said. "She wasn't the player that could score from crosses, but has worked diligently to improve that aspect of her game!! I'm delighted with her progress."
Over three matches versus Salem, LMU has outscored the Tigers 14-0. The Lady Railsplitters now shift their focus to conference play as Newberry comes to the LMU Soccer Complex for a 1 p.m. start Saturday.
Stay tuned to
LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms —@LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram — for complete coverage of Lady Railsplitter soccer through the 2019 season.
