NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Meredith 1, Randolph 1
Records: Meredith, 0-0-1; Randolph, 0-0-1
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Meredith soccer took to the road on Tuesday night and came away with a 1-1 draw in the season opener at Randolph.
After conceding the game's first goal to the Wildcats in the 35th minute, the Avenging Angels hung tough, until
Kennedy Gaston provided the equalizer in the 68th minute.
This was despite Meredith having to play with 10 for the final 25 minutes of the contest.
Randolph held an extensive 15-3 shot advantage in the first half. However, Meredith found its footing in the second half, holding the Wildcats to single digits in shots while attempting four of its own.
Freshman goalkeeper
Delaney Thompson played a major role in keeping Meredith within striking distance, as she made seven first half saves.
This allowed Gaston's first career goal to stand as the equalizer in the first game of new head coach MIke Barroqueiro's tenure.
The defense was stifling in the final minutes despite the disadvantage, as the Avenging Angels held the Wildcats to just two shots from the time of Gaston's goal until the end of the game.
Up next, Meredith will return home and host back-to-back home contests this weekend, starting this Friday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. against Guilford.
TURNING POINT:
- Gaston's first career goal as an Avenging Angel was the equalizer and it held up as Meredith locked down the draw in the season opener.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Making her first career start, freshman goalkeeper
Delaney Thompson totaled nine saves and allowed just one goal.
