Women’s soccer opens AAC play with big win over SAU

LAURINBURG, N.C. (Sept. 12, 2021) – Freshman Alyssa Bennett connected for the Point University women's soccer team's first goal of the season in the 14th minute, and the Skyhawks did not stop there, as Point went on to defeat St. Andrews 5-1 Sunday afternoon to open Appalachian Athletic Conference play.

"Extremely pleased with our performance today," Head Coach Randy Douglas said. "I've seen steady improvement since our first match, but today we got to enjoy a win, and I felt that we played well and smart. It was great to see Kelly and Keiry get goals in the same game for the first time in a while. Alyssa got her first collegiate goal, and Tamia had a nice one as well to put us up before halftime." 

Bennett's goal helped the Skyhawks take an early lead before the Knights evened the score in the 18th minute with a goal from SAU's Zoie Steinkamp. This would be the only goal Point would allow the Knights to have, and in the 40th minute, Tamia Jones would connect for Point's second goal, helping the Skyhawks take the lead for good.

Kelly Carlisle and Keiry Bonilla would add three more goals to Point's lead in the second half, with Carlisle connecting for back-to-back goals in the 55th and 58th minutes and Bonilla scoring the last goal of the game in the 65th minute.        

Bennett, Bonilla, Carlisle, Jones, and Carmen Kager each recorded an assist. The Skyhawks had 29 shots on the day, with Bonilla and Carlisle recording seven and six, respectively. Bennett and Vanessa Lara followed with four apiece. Erica Burkhardt recorded four saves, and the Skyhawks forced St. Andrews goalkeeper to make 10 saves on the day.

With Sunday's win, the Skyhawks advance to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in AAC play. Up next, the Skyhawks travel to AAC in-state foe Truett McConnell on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Skyhawks will return home on Saturday, Sept. 18, to host Milligan at 5:30 p.m.