WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University women's soccer team opened up its season Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 ODAC victory over Emory & Henry.
 
In what is likely the final meeting on the pitch between SU (1-0, 1-0 ODAC) and E&H (0-2, 0-2), the Hornets scored a pair of goals in the second half to earn their sixth straight win in the longtime series.

IN BRIEF

Maiya Pencile scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 83^rd minute by converting a penalty kick.
 
Shenandoah was awarded the penalty after the Wasps were called for a handball in trying to clear the ball from the 18-yard box.
 
Pencile buried the try to put the Hornets on top and the SU defense did not allow a shot for the remainder of the contest to secure the win.
 
E&H scored the game's initial goal in the 38^th minute on an unassisted tally by Callie McMurray.
 
Twenty minutes into the second half, senior Abby Alexa took a rebound of a Traevia Morris shot and knocked it home to bring the game level at 1-1.
 
It took another 17 minutes for the Hornets to earn the penalty that turned into Pencile's game-winning goal.
 
Shenandoah took 16 of the game's 18 shots and had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

NOTABLE

Emory & Henry announced earlier this year that it intends to reclassify to NCAA Division II for the 2021-22 school year. Should that request be granted, the Wasps will depart the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

QUOTABLE

"It was a good start after not having played for more than a year," head coach Liz Pike said. "Traevia Morris was outstanding for us tonight."

UP NEXT

Shenandoah hosts Randolph-Macon on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in a game that will be played as a non-league contest.
 
###