Women’s soccer: Hat trick the difference as VMI falls to Furman, 3-0

A hat trick from Rachel Shah was the difference as the Furman Paladins downed the VMI Keydets, 3-0, in SoCon women’s soccer action Friday at Drill Field #2 on VMI Post in Lexington, Va. The match, which had been moved from Patchin Field due to torrential rainfall in the Lexington area, was the first regular season match played at the facility.

After the rain slowed to a drizzle, Shah put Furman (9-1-1, 3-0 SoCon) out in front with her first goal with just 34 seconds left in the first half, scoring off a pass from Claudia Murphy.

In the second half, Treva Aycock assisted on both of Shah’s scores, which came in the 48th and 88th minutes to account for the final margin.

For the match, Furman outshot the Keydets 14-8 and held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. VMI (4-7, 1-1 SoCon) goalkeeper Ceci Keppeler finished the match with five saves, while Furman keeper Kellsey Weaver logged one stop.

VMI women’s soccer will return to action Sunday, when the Keydets play host to Wofford at 1 p.m. The game will be contested at Drill Field #2.