George Washington University
2-0-0
Cleveland State
0-2-0
GW Women's Soccer Triumphs in Home Opener
8/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WASHINGTON - Rookie Deena DeSilva tallied her first career goal as the George Washington women's soccer squad downed visiting Cleveland State, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon in the Colonials' 2016 home opener at the GW Soccer Field on the Mount Vernon Campus.
The Colonials did all of their scoring in the first half, beginning in the 24th minute when senior MacKenzie Cowley took the ball into the box from 40 yards out, avoided a diving Cleveland State goalkeeper and kept the ball on the ground to find the back of the net and put GW ahead, 1-0. The goal marked Cowley's second in as many games.
The Buff and Blue kept the pressure on, rattling off four unanswered shots after Cowley's goal. GW increased its lead in the 42nd minute when DeSilva connected for her first career score after senior Brooke Bean's corner kick ricocheted off of several players before finding DeSilva. The freshman placed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to notch the eventual gamewinner and give the Colonials a 2-0 advantage at the half.
GW remained aggressive in the second half, getting off two quick shots to begin the stanza, but the Vikings prevented a shutout with a goal in the 58th minute to cut the Colonials' lead to 2-1.
The Colonials fended off two more shots in a fast-paced second half to secure a 2-1 victory.
The Buff and Blue outshot the visiting Vikings, 15-7, on the day.
GW returns to action on Thursday, Aug. 25, when the Colonials visit LSU - an NCAA Tournament participant from a year ago - for an 8 p.m. match.
Team Stats
COWLEY, MacKenzie (2)
12 took ball into box, got past GK, goal
23:09
DeSILVA, Deena (1)
corner by 9 bounced off multiple players
41:07
SARGEMA, Kaila (1)
Assisted By: LORENZO, Aliani
pass from 30 yards out from 10, dribble
57:15
