SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Valkyries soccer team picked up their first win of the season in convincing fashion, downing visiting Mars Hill University by a score of 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Fulp Field. Converse scored all three goals in the first half and the defense picked up the rest in half number two, bringing the CC record to 1-1-1 on the season.
Converse wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Nicole Doolittle took a beautiful feed off of a corner in the sixth minute of action and blasted past the Mars Hill keeper for an early 1-0 lead. Anyah Preston added to that lead in the 11th minute when she took a rebound from a corner kick and placed it into the top right of the cage for her first score of the season.
After Mars Hill put a bit of pressure on the Valkyrie defense, all in which keeper Rachel Stalford was up for the task, Converse padded its lead with a marvelous goal from a free kick. Madison Reeves sent the kick into the box from about 30 yards out and Claudia Coffin put her boot to the ball and squeezed it past the Lions' goalie for a 3-0 lead. That lead would hold heading into the locker room.
The second half started a little differently as each team put pressure on the other's defense, but could not get anything past the net minder. Converse had a great chance at adding to the lead in the 56th minute, but Kayla Reeve's shot was barely pushed away by Kaitlyn Danglemaier.
The remainder of the contest was a stalemate and Converse picked up its first win of the season, 3-0. Doolittle led the charge offensively with three shots, two on goal, and her score. Preston added two shots, both of which were on goal. Marshall Cassidy came off the bench and tallied five shots. Aleonya Hunter led Mars Hill with five shots, while Leah Hairfield contributed two shots.
Rachel Stalford earned her first win of the season as she played all 90 minutes between the pipes, collecting six saves. Danglemaier dropped to 1-1-1 on the year for MHU after allowing three goals over the course of the contest, while picking up five saves.
The Valkyries will be back in action on Wednesday, September 13 as they open Conference Carolinas play at Barton. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.