CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Senior Ashley Michels scored two goals as Austin Peay State University women's soccer team downed Virginia Military Institute, 4-1, Sunday afternoon, at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field. The Lady Govs improve to 4-9-1, while the Keydets fall to 5-7-1.

“Between our game on Friday and our match today, we had a few meetings and discussed where our focus needed to be the rest of the way out,” said Lady Govs head coach Kelley Guth. “For the season, we've been doing very well in the first half and playing very poor in the second half. Today was better. It's always good to put the ball in the back of the net and today it was good to see a number of players finish. We need that right now. We need that success.”

The Lady Govs, who were shutout in their two previous games, saw a long-overdue offensive outburst. Freshman Alanna Foster scored her season's third goal in the 30th minute, unassisted from the top of the box, giving Austin Peay a 1-0 halftime lead. The Lady Govs, in fact, outshot the Keydets 13-1 in the first half.

After the break, sophomore Michelle Johnson hooked up with a cutting Michels for the game's second goal in the 59th minute.
The Keydets were resilient in the midfield throughout the match, but had few opportunities in the attacking third. However, VMI's persistence would soon payoff when Kathleen Underwood fired a pass from the left side and Megan Strand punched it in for the Keydet's only goal in the 70th minute.

Austin Peay's senior leadership stepped up big after VMI made it a one-goal game. First it was senior Ashley Beck scoring on a serve from Samantha Northrop in the 84th minute. Michels then put herself in position to score after a cross from freshman Jocelyn Murdoch sailed just in front of the goal. Foster headed back and Michels knocked it in, setting the final margin.

Austin Peay dominated the game, outshooting VMI 26-5. Michels had four shots, three on goal, while Alanna Foster led the Lady Govs with seven shots, three on goal. Sophomores Monique Wong, Mary Beth Burchett and Northrop each had three shots.

“We have the ability to dominate teams; we just haven't been capitalizing on our scoring chances,” Guth said. “I still think we have a lot of work to do, as far as playing a complete 90 minutes. We can't breakdown in conference play like we did today a number of times in the second half.

“This game was a great confidence boost for our team. Their hard work paid off and I hope they enjoy it. I hope it continues to motivate them to be hungry on field.”

Angela Redmond had seven saves for the Keydets, while Strand led the way with three shots.

“We have two huge games this weekend,” Guth said. “I think on any given day, anybody can beat anybody. This is a great step in the right direction for our girls.
The difference between a win and a loss, for us, comes down to who puts away their chances. We've played tough with every conference team, but haven't put away our opportunities. We need to get ourselves a win a home.”

The Lady Govs continue their four-game home stand with a pair of Ohio Valley Conference games against Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois, next weekend.