New Kent pulls away for 4-0 win in soccer home opener

New Kent striker Jhonae White (2) closes on W&L's Azzurai Billinger for a first half steal.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Neither a one-hour thunderstorm delay nor a steady second half rain failed to deter New Kent’s Lady Trojans in their quest for victory number one in their soccer home opener. Despite wet conditions, the hosts scored three second half goals Thursday night to pull away from Washington & Lee’s Eagles for a 4-0 shutout.

A scoreless defensive struggle ensued once the storm drifted off and play got underway. New Kent came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half on a Sydney Griffith pass to an open Jhonae White, but diving Eagle keeper Alexia Tate smothered the Lady Trojan striker’s shot attempt.

Moments later with W&L on the attack, Lady Trojan sweeper Haley Grisbaum deflected what appeared to be an easy Eagle scoring opportunity. Then came two more New Kent threats with White barely missing the left corner of the Eagle goal on a Griffith pass and Tate stopping a Griffith header off a Kristen Taylor corner kick.

With less the two minutes left in the first half, however, White didn’t miss after using her speed to drive past three W&L defenders. Her shot from the left side bounced over Tate’s head and into the net for a 1-0 halftime lead.

Rain slowed the pace for most of the second half, but just past the midpoint, Taylor drilled a shot that Tate failed to control. Perfectly positioned, forward Faith Tyler punched in the rebound for a 2-0 lead.

Six minutes later, Griffith added a long-range shot that eluded Tate. Then with four minutes left, another Taylor shot caromed off Tate giving Zoe Wallace an open opportunity for the final goal.

For the match, New Kent (1-1) unleashed 16 shots to only five for the Eagles. New Kent keeper Sara Buchanan made one save while Tate stopped six Lady Trojan shots.