College Women’s Soccer Final – Mary Washington 2, Guilford 1

Fredericksburg, Va. (9-28-08) – Freshman Nicole Dierkes scored the game winning goal with 3:54 to play and senior goalkeeper Laura McCarthy made several clutch saves in leading the University of Mary Washington women’s soccer team to a 2-1 win over visiting Guilford College at a wet Battleground Stadium on Sunday.

Guilford (2-7) scored first, as Ellie Taylor scored at 25:31 on a long shot from outside the box. The Quakers held a 1-0 advantage at halftime.

Mary Washington (5-3-2) answered with freshman Brandy Simpson knotting the score at 57:10. Simpson took a deflection off the Guilford keeper and shot it into the open net. The winning goal was similar, as Bridget Dooley’s free kick deflected off the goalie and rolled along the goal line and to Dierkes, who slid in the game deciding goal with 3:54 to play.

McCarthy had four saves for the Eagles, all of which were either high deflections or diving stops. Amber Stapler had five saves for Guilford.

The Quakers visit Greensboro College Tuesday (9/30) at 4:00 p.m. The Eagles will host St. Mary’s College Wednesday in a Capital Athletic Conference match at 4 p.m.