Waterville, ME - The Vermont State University Lyndon women's soccer team opened North Atlantic Conference play on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Thomas College for the first conference game of the season. The host Terriers scored three times in the opening half and added five more goals after halftime to defeat the Hornets, 8-0, at Smith Field.
Thomas controlled the action from the opening whistle, but Lyndon goalkeeper Aracely Delgado-Juarez (LaBelle, FL) kept the Hornets within striking distance during the early going. The Terriers finally broke through in the 20th minute when Ava Lyndes found the back of the net.
Thomas added another goal just over two minutes later, with Yaribel Pena scoring to make it 2-0. Kelsie Lambert then extended the Terriers' advantage in the 30th minute, with Briley Rutledge providing the assist.
Delgado-Juarez continued to make saves to keep Lyndon in the game, and Thomas carried a 3-0 lead into halftime.
The Terriers continued to apply pressure after the break, scoring five times in the second half. Riley Smith opened the second-half scoring in the 58th minute before Pena added her second goal of the afternoon less than five minutes later. Phoebe Padgett scored twice in an 11-minute span, and Ally Southwick capped the scoring in the 81st minute.
Delgado-Juarez finished with 18 saves for the Hornets. Thomas outshot Lyndon, 55-1, including a 28-1 advantage in shots on goal, while the Terriers held a 10-1 edge in corner kicks. Emily Clark (Saint Johnsbury, VT) recorded Lyndon's lone shot, putting it on frame in the second half.
The loss drops Lyndon to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in NAC play, while Thomas improves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference action.
The Hornets will return home next Saturday September 26, when they host the University of Maine at Presque Isle in another NAC matchup. Kickoff on Varsity Field is set for 3:30 pm.
