Lady Cavs shy out GMC in home opener

ALBANY – Darton State handled Georgia Military with no problems in their home opener Wednesday, as they shut out the Lady Bulldogs 11-0.

Sophomore forward Brianna Lemerise lit up the scoreboard early, and notched five goals before the end of the first half. It was the most goals the sophomore has ever scored in a single collegiate match, and pushed her way ahead in the conference standings as the No. 1 goalscorer, now with six in two games. “I told myself I was going to score three, and I just stayed confident,” she said. “But I always go into a game thinking that we are going to win, so I just felt good going into this game."

Returning All American defender Janay Campbell scored on a corner kick to help lift the Lady Cavs up to a 6-0 score at halftime.  Second half goals came from Kristy Vidler and Lauren Ebbs, who scored two apiece. Maggie Vanhusan scored as well.

Darton’s net was challenged by only one shot the entire game. The Lady Cavalier defense was quick to clear any attempts in their defensive third, however the Darton midfield looked exceptionally strong and by possessing the ball kept GMC’s threats at a minimum.

“Possession and movement prevents injuries and scores goals,” Darton State College head women’s soccer coach Ken Veilands, said. “We have to understand that we cannot get soft. We produced some quality goals in the first half, but we have to keep that intensity throughout the game, regardless of what’s on the scoreboard.”

Lemerise also sees room for improvement but feels that this team is better than the 2013 squad that won a third consecutive conference title and made their way to the national championship tournament. “We work well together,” she said. “We’re more connected as a team this year.”

The Lady Cavaliers will take on Polk State College in Lakeland, Fla., Sunday, and play at ABAC on Wednesday before returning home on Sept. 6 to host Broward College at 6 p.m.