GREENSBORO, N.C. – Morgan Henderson scored in the 16th minute and Becca Banks made a career-high 11 saves in Guilford College’s 1-0 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) soccer win over visiting Virginia Wesleyan Saturday. The victory marked the Quakers’ first over the Marlins since 2006.
The Marlins (9-8, 7-2 ODAC) controlled play for much of the game, especially in the second half, but Guilford also had a number of scoring chances. The Quakers (6-9-1, 3-6 ODAC) converted on their best opportunity early in the game when Morgan Sleeth slotted a pass from the right side into Henderson, who broke free and dribbled to the goal where she notched her fourth score of the season.
Virginia Wesleyan held a 26-8 edge in shots and had multiple scoring opportunities in the 51st minute, but Banks stood tall with three stops in rapid succession. The Marlins’ Brittany Wentzel launched a shot from close range, which Banks deflected back to Wentzel, who unleased a second shot. Banks blocked it as well, and Virginia Wesleyan’s Madison Atkins followed with a shot, but Banks again was equal to the task.
Hard-nosed play up front by Henderson, Kelli Uresti and Juliana Evans-Anfom resulted in a couple good scoring opportunities for Guilford in transition. Uresti had one of the Quakers’ five second-half shots stopped by Marlins’ keeper Megan Gearhart in the 65th minute. Uresti had a breakaway shot 12 minutes later that went wide of the goal.
Gearhart made three saves for the Marlins.
Coach Mike Shenigo’s Quakers host Eastern Mennonite University Tuesday (10/27) at 7:00 o.m. in an ODAC match.