MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry College women's soccer team opened up SAA conference play with a dominant 4-1 victory over the Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels Wednesday evening at Bob Pearson Field.
The win snaps a two-game losing streaking for the Vikings and moves their record to 6-3 on the season.
The first 15 minutes of this match were flawless for the Vikings, and it gave them a quick 3-0 lead that they never relinquished. Giselle Aitken scored the game's first goal in just 58 seconds thanks to an assist from Laina Engelbart.
Engelbart then found the back of the net in the sixth minute to give the Vikings a multi-goal lead, and then Gianna Maimone capped off the avalanche at 13:58 with her sixth goal of the season off an Oglethorpe turnover.Â
The team had more chances for the rest of the first half to extend the lead, but still took their three-goal lead into halftime with no signs of slowing down.
After outshooting the Stormy Petrels 12-3 in the first half, the Vikings followed it up with another 15 shots in the second half. They held Oglethorpe to just four shots in the final 45 minutes, and eventually dealt the finishing blow in the 73rd minute after a perfect strike by Heidi Swain from way outside the box.
The Stormy Petrels were able to prevent a shutout with an Evan Thomas goal two minutes later, but that was all the Vikings would allow as they held on for the 4-1 win.
Berry outshot Oglethorpe 27-7 overall and 13-5 in shots on goal. Engelbart led the charge with one goal and one assist on four shots. Maimone, Aitken, and Swain each had one goal, and Aubrey Strickland finished the game with an assist. Kate Hill got the win in goal with three saves and one goal allowed in 76:12 of action, before being subbed out for Rachel Baker with the game in hand.Â
The Vikings took to keep this momentum going into their next game at home on Friday, October 2 against Centre. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
