Lexington, Va.- Radford scored four first half goals, including three in the first nine minutes, to defeat VMI, 4-1, and pick up its first Big South victory of the season Wednesday afternoon at Patchin Field.

With the victory, Radford tied the school record for best undefeated start in school history and remains the only undefeated Division I women’s soccer program in Virginia. The other season the Highlanders (7-0-3, 1-0-1 Big South) were undefeated after 10 matches was 15 years ago in 1993.

The Highlanders also handed the Keydets (5-6-1, 2-1-1 Big South) their first conference loss of the season.

Radford stunned VMI with two quick goals in the first 3:26 to take a 2-0 lead. Freshman Ashley Johnson (Springfield, Va./South County) scored her team-best seventh goal, 1:16 into the match off assists from sophomore Latrice Lee (Manassas, Va./Forest Park) and junior Jackie Cozza (Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field). Just 2:12 later, junior Justine Dugger (Purcellville, Va./Notre Dame) knocked one in from in from after a pass from senior McKenzie Vergara (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale).

Vergara (pictured) netted her fourth goal of the season at 8:55 to give the Highlanders a commanding 3-0 lead.

Freshman Melony Davis (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) capped off the scoring for Radford in the 37th minute, collecting a rebound off the crossbar and touching it into the back of the net. Cozza was credited with her second helper of the game.

Radford outshot VMI, 16-5 in the first half and freshman Lisa Lubke (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) made three saves to keep the Keydets off the scoreboard.

VMI’s Olivia Moore spoiled the shutout with just over a minute to play in the match, gathering a loose ball after a collision with the goalkeeper and placing it in the empty net.

The Highlanders finished the match outshooting the Keydets, 24-14 and holding an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. Sophomore Alex Traughber (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) made six second half saves, including a few on point-blank shots. Heidi Beemer started for VMI and made six saves in the first half, while Angela Redmond did not allow a goal and stopped four shots in the second half.

Radford will be put to the test on Saturday, Oct. 11 when it hosts first place Coastal Carolina (8-3, 3-0 Big South) at 2 pm. Prior the match, the Highlanders will honor their four seniors, Vergara, Laura Culver (Fairfax, Va./Paul VI), Corin O’Donnell (Midlothian, Va./Clover Hill) and Erin Michael (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis, in a special ceremony.

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