BLACKSBURG, Va. – Redshirt-junior Shannon Mayrose’s early goal lifted the No. 22 Virginia Tech women’s soccer team over the James Madison Dukes, 1-0, in each team’s opening exhibition of the 2012 season.
“It was a good game tonight for us,” commented head coach Chugger Adair. “James Madison is a very good team and it was a good opportunity for us to play against outside competition. We saw some things that were good and bad but now we can work on moving forward.”
In a match that had three 30-minute periods, the Hokies came out strong with an early goal from Mayrose 10 minutes into play. Ashley Manning moved the ball up field and found Mayrose that easily connected on and sent the ball high into the far corner.
“Our goal we scored was a very good combination play between two forwards,” added Adair. “A pass from Ashley Manning to Shannon Mayrose and she took it well. I thought we defended well and didn’t give up a goal so its always a good day if we do that.”
Tech dominated the Dukes’ side of the field throughout the first, taking eight total shots with four on goal and kept momentum throughout the contest.
James Madison recorded its only two shots in the second period, as one hit the crossbar and the other Kimberley Anderson easily saved.
The Hokies out shot the Dukes, 10-2, and took four corner kicks, while James Madison recorded four saves.
Tech returns to Thompson Field Friday, Aug. 17, as it hosts the 2012 Hilton Garden Inn Hokie Invitational. The first match, which features Wake Forest and Richmond, begins at 5 p.m., before the Hokies kick off the season against UNC Wilmington at 7:30 p.m.
For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WSoccer).