Evans, Defense Push Highlanders Past Saint Louis

Radford, Va. -- Sophomore Meredith Evans (Virginia Beach, Va.) scored late in the first half and Radford’s defense took care of the rest as the Highlanders defeated Saint Louis, 1-0, in a battle for first place in the NorPac. RU limited Saint Louis to just four shots and five short corners for the game.

With the victory Radford improves to 7-9 and 4-0 in the NorPac, needing just one win in their final two matches to claim the East Division title. The Billikens fall to 5-8 overall and 3-2 in the Conference.

The Highlanders dominated much of the play the entire game, out shooting SLU, 21-4 and earning 16 short corners, but the play of Billiken keeper Julie Moeckel kept them in the match making nine saves, six in the second half. Also, a defensive save by Stephanie Bus kept RU off the board early in the first half.

The game-winner came on a free hit just outside the circle. Evans redirected a shot by senior Angela Feindt (Hartwood, Va.) just to the right of keeper Julie Moekel with 7:34 to go in the first half.

Just a few minutes into the second half, Saint Louis seemed to tie the game but the goal was disallowed for being hit with the back of the stick.

Junior Amy Dietz (Louisville, Ky.) made two saves to earn the shutout. She was rarely tested as the back line of sophomore Colleen Murphy (Olney, Md), Emily Jones (Williamsburg, Va.), Courtny Brown (Suffolk, Va.) and Kiera Gambeski (St. James, N.Y) kept the ball out of the circle most of the game and the corner defense allowed just one shot.

Radford and Saint Louis meet again tomorrow at Dedmon Center Field at 1 p.m.

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