WSOC | Early Onslaught Propels Voyageurs Over Paladins

On a summer-like September afternoon in Sudbury, the Voyageurs Women's Soccer team struck early and often as they ran away from the visiting RMC Paladins on Saturday afternoon by a 5-1 score.

Just nine minutes in, Allison Pilon's throw into the 18 yard box bounced around before landing on Sarah Sanford's foot.  With her back to goal, Sanford calmly spun and hit a low shot past the Paladins keeper, Claudia Rusu, for the 1-0 lead.

Not four minutes later, Michelle Walsh busted down the far side of the field and fired a cross in that Rusu tried to cut off.  Instead she spilled it onto the foot of Brianne Rodrigue, who slid it home for her third goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.

After Catherine Rocca made it 3-0 in the 15th minute, the Paladins got on the board in the 28th minute when a free kick from outside the 18 yard box bounced around in front of Caitlin McNamara before RMC's Kaylee Carlisle got a head to it.  The ball was cleared off of McNamara's line but the assistant referee deemed the ball had completely crossed the line, making it a 3-1 score.

The Voyageurs were not dissuaded as, just six minutes later, Sarah Sanford worked the ball down to the Paladins' goal line before delivering a clever little chip over two defenders and the goalie, onto the foot of Michelle Walsh who slid it into the open net.

There could have easily been a sixth goal in the first half but Rusu made a wonderful save on Rodrigue's penalty kick just before the half time whistle.  The Voyageurs fired 13 shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes and went into half time with a comfortable 4-1 lead.

Mia De Gasperis danced through the Paladins defenders and fired a shot from the top of the box in the 54th minute to wrap up the scoring.  McNamara and Josée Scott shared the win in net for the Voyageurs who will face Queen's on Sunday.  Kick-off is scheduled for 12pm at Laurentian.