LYNCHBURG, VA -- The Randolph College women's soccer team battled No. 5 Virginia Wesleyan College Tuesday night, but the Marlins notched two second half goals in earning a 2-0 victory in action from WildCat Stadium.

The WildCats (8-7/3-7 ODAC) held the No. 5 team in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll without a goal for the first 59:50 of the contest, much in part of total team defending and strong play from sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Gibson (Newport News, VA/Denbigh Baptist). Randolph was also helped by a loud and boisterous crowd that was in attendance.

Randolph's backline of Ashley Stevens (Leicester, MA/St. Peter-Marian), Elisa Otero (Chevy Chase, MD/St. John's), Kelsey Cline (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) and Erin Carter (Vienna, VA/James Madison) stymied the Marlins in the box multiple times in the first half. Gibson was also very quick off her line to deny a few chances.

Gibson finished the first half with six saves, as Virginia Wesleyan (15-0-1/10-0-1 ODAC) took 19 attempts on net. Early on in the second half, VWC's Bri Ingargiola darted in on net alone but her shot missed just wide to the right. Minutes later, the Marlins broke the the scoreless affair on a corner kick. Krista Witmer deflected in the corner with a shot off the short hop for her third goal of the game.

At 65:50 of the second half, Virginia Wesleyan doubled its lead as Marta Deptula one-timed a cross from Kristen Cherry from the top of the 18 for a 2-0 score. The Randolph defense would rally and keep the Marlins off the board for the final 24 minutes.

Gibson finished the contest with 13 saves, as she faced 37 shots on the evening. Virginia Wesleyan earned all 10 corner kicks on the evening, while both teams had five fouls.

Randolph is back in action this Saturday at home for Senior Day and Homecoming as Hollins University comes to town for a 4 p.m. ODAC match. Pre-game festivities for seniors Brianne Roth (Yorktown, VA/Grafton), Samantha Wittie (Canyon Lake, TX/Smithson Valley), Amanda Cooper (Canyon Lake, TX/Smithson Valley), Julianna Joyce (Mayaguaz, Puerto Rico/Southwestern), Caitlin Sheehan (Herndon, VA/Herndon), Cline and Stevens will start minutes before the contest.

--RANDOLPH--