VIRGINIA BEACH - A brisk but sunny matinee in Virginia Beach, Virginia brought about a competitive clash between the Vikings and the hosting Virginia Wesleyan University Marlins. A close and competitive game resulted in the Vikings being triumphant on the road giving them their 2nd victory of the season making them 2-1.
The first period of the game was left rather evenly being 2-2 once the quarter came to a close. A goal by senior Katie Claire Smith opened the scoring, making this her 5th goal of the season (2nd in 2 games), which was assisted by fellow senior Daniel Taraska. With 2 Marlin goals following that, freshman Lillie Swanson managed to score and equalize with just over a minute left in the period, marking her 7th goal of the season.
The second half was just as eventful with 4 goals total, leaving the score split at the end of the first half of the game being 4-4. All goals in the half were scored with less than 7 minutes left, leaving a firework-ridden and competitive sequence of play to be had. A Marlin goals opened the scoring in this period, followed by a Viking goal by Dani Taraska. Another trade of goals occurred with the Marlins scoring yet again, but then a clutch equalizer was once again scored by Dani Taraska, assisted by, Senior, Isabel Pregont, to set the score even leaving the first half.
Entering the 3rd half with determination, Daniel Taraska was able to get her hat trick early on in the period which was assisted bs sophomore Ashley Stidham to give the Vikings the lead for the first time since the first period. An equalizer was set by the Marlins, but the Vikings would establish the lead once again with Dani Taraska scoring her 4th goal of the game. With an insurance goal from Isabel Pregont, the Vikings established real estate with a 2-goal lead heading into the 4th and final period.
While a goal was scored by the Marlins in the final period, it would not prove to be enough to come out on top against the Vikings. With their victory on the road by a final score of 7-6, the Vikings set their sights on the Meredith College for Friday's fixture at 6:00 PM at Valhalla!
