VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- Eastern University Women's Soccer opened the 2012 campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Christopher Newport University at Virginia Wesleyan College. Kelsey Spoelstra scored a pair of goals, and Kelsey Doutrich added a goal and an assist as the Eagles battled through the late-summer heat for the victory.
Spoelstra opened the scoring in the third minute after Doutrich slotted a well-weighted through ball behind the Captain back line. Spoelstra, who last played in a game that mattered on Oct. 16 in 2010, doubled her career scoring total with today's brace. She scored a pair of goals in ten games in 2010 before missing the 2011 season with injury.
"It's great to have 'Spo' back," Coach Mouw commented, "she is a different player now than she was as a freshman, but she does some different things that will make us a lot better." Spoelstra scored her two goals in 35 minutes of action.
The Captains leveled the match at one apiece on a restart blast from Dani Gunderson from just over 25 yards out. It appeared that the two sides would go to the break level, but Cait Mitchell put the Eagles up for good on a bomb off the inside of the far post from 25 yards out. After an Eastern corner kick, the first year back picked up a loose ball just outside the box and cracked a shot just over the outstretched arms of the CNU keeper.
CNU held a 7-6 edge in first half shots. Alysia Goodman picked up five of her seven saves before the intermission.
Eastern began to force the issue after the break. After several chances went just wide or were turned away by the Newport defense, Doutrich made a chance out of not much at all. The senior midfielder stole a ball from one defender about thirty-five yards out. After fighting off another challenge, Doutrich tucked her 40th career goal into the lower corner. She is now tied with Erin Friesen for fifth on the Eastern career list.
"Kelsey's goal was huge for us," Mouw continued," though we were carrying much of the play, we needed someone to step up and get us some separation. She created the chance and finished it, and the game became a little easier for the last 23 minutes."
Spoelstra finished the scoring with a crafty chip to the back post after Doutrich again found her in space.
The Eagles(1-0) are back in action tomorrow at Virginia Wesleyan against the No. 20 hosts. That game begins at 2:00 pm.
