The No. 21 ranked Emory University women's soccer team opened the NCAA tournament with a dominant victory Friday afternoon, defeating Wittenberg University 4-0 in the first round played at Centre College in Danville, KY.
The Eagles were in control from the opening touch, dominating all facets of the match en route to the four-goal win, the second largest margin of victory by an Emory program in its NCAA tournament history. The Eagles outshot the Tigers 42-2 across the 90 minutes including a 15-0 margin in shots on frame.
Four different players found the back of the net as Emory advances to the Round of 32 for the second time in the past three tournaments. The Eagles will face host Centre Saturday afternoon for a chance to go to the Sweet 16. Kickoff between the Colonels and Eagles is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST at Amend Field in Danville. For more information, please visit the tournament website found here: https://centrecolonels.com/feature/NCAAwsoc2021.
Friday was basically all Emory from the opening whistle as sophomore Olivia McBerry nearly put the Eagles in front 40 seconds into the contest with a shot on the goal frame, however her attempt was foiled by a nice diving save by the keeper right on the goal line.
Junior Kylie Hall had an equally close chance in the second minute but her shot from just outside the 18 drilled the far post. Sophomore Grace Reyer though was able to find the back of the net first, scoring the team's first goal in the 5th minute at the 4:15 mark by tapping in a deflection following an errant punch from the keeper.
After almost scoring in the opening minute, McBerry would not be denied in the 11th minute as she finished from straight on following passes from Reyer and senior Lily Dresner.
Junior Aubrey Blanchard added another goal mid-way through the first half, scoring in the 23rd minute off assists by Hall and senior Lauren Mahoney to give Emory a 3-0 lead heading into the break.
Despite registering 23 shots (8 SOG) in the second half, the Eagles saw only one go past the Tigers' keeper with senior Molly Miller knocking in the loose ball from right outside the net in the 77th minute.
McBerry finished with a game-high 10 shots with four on goal with Hall tallying seven attempts with three on frame.