LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College women's soccer team defeated the Avenging Angels of Meredith College in stunning fashion thanks to a Melisa Rodriguez (Culpeper, VA/Eastern View) tally Sunday by a score of 1-0 in overtime. With the victory, the WildCats improved their overall record to 7-5.

The WildCat defense was stellar all afternoon; leading the way was junior defender Elisa Otero (Chevy Chase, MD/St. Johns). Otero was everywhere on Sunday, shutting down the Meredith attack by cutting off the attacking forwards and using her body to protect the ball. Otero also did an excellent job communicating with goalkeeper Hunter Gibson (Newport News, VA/Denbigh Baptist). Gibson returned to the net after being sidelined with an injury the previous two weeks.

First-year defender Erin Carter (Vienna, VA/James Madison) played a large part in ensuring the shutout as well. Carter shut down the right side of the Meredith attack in the second half and displayed her excellent footwork skills to help the WildCat midfield control possession.

The WildCats survived a flurry of attacks at the end of regulation. Meredith forward Jessie Davis sent a corner kick into the penalty box that bounced around and was deflected until freshman forward Taylor Brown ripped a shot that landed wide right of the net.

Meredith College started the overtime period where they left off and had several dangerous opportunities near the Randolph goal. After a deflected shot from Brown, junior midfielder Marielle Rando (Powhatan, VA/Powhatan) was able to gain possession and start the counterattack for the WildCats.

Streaking down the middle of the field, Rando played an excellent through ball to Rodriguez. With one defender to beat, Rodriguez pushed the ball out in front to gain a step and fired a high arching shot from the right side of the penalty box. The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and into the back corner of the net for an amazing overtime victory.

Randolph was outshot on the afternoon 21-5, while surrendering nine corner kicks to the Avenging Angels. The WildCats improved to 7-1-1 all-time against Meredith College, which is only four years removed from an NCAA Tournament appearance.

The WildCats will be back in action on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 as they head to Greensboro, NC to take on Guilford College in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference matchup. Game time is set to start at 6:00 p.m.

--RANDOLPH--