Davidson, N.C.- Tracy McCausland netted her first two goals of the season and assisted on another in helping lead the Davidson women's soccer team to a 7-0 Southern Conference win over The Citadel on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium. The win moved the Wildcats record to 6-4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while the Bulldogs dropped to 1-11-1 overall and 0-3 in the SoCon.
The two-goal effort by McCausland was her first-ever career two-goal game and she finished the contest with five points. She got off a season-high seven shots as well in helping give Davidson a 32-2 advantage in the shot department.
Close to 10 minutes in the game, Suzanne Sittko struck first thanks to the help of McCausland. The junior sent the ball to the middle of the box, where Sittko received it, squared herself around to the goal and booted the ball past the diving Bulldog goalie, Emily Green, through the right side for her second marker of the year. Sittko also added an assist later in the game.
Shortly after Sittko's goal, fellow Blakely Low scored the Wildcats made the second score at the 11:37 mark when she got a through ball from Anne Stevens and then went one-on-one with the goalie for her first career collegiate goal, giving Davidson a 2-0 advantage.
The Wildcats added two more goals in the half behind the senior duo of Heidi Wilbrandt and Amanda Traver. Wilbrandt scored the third goal of the contest and her first of the year at 35:07 mark on a header in the box after Sophie Funderburk just missed a shot off the post.
Two minutes later, Traver gave the Wildcats its third different scorer on the afternoon when Kyri Bye-Nagel, who earned her first career assist, crossed the ball to Traver who was just outside the goalie box and fired a shot pass Green for a 4-0 Wildcat lead at the break.
McCausland opened the second half by netting her first goal of the season in the 48th minute on a penalty kick after she was pulled to the ground by a Bulldog defender in the 18-yard box. The junior placed the free kick to the left side of the goal and Davidson led 5-0.
Sittko sent a through ball to Katharine Laco in the box, who then chipped it over the head of new goalie Brit Bunnell at the 54:37 mark for a 6-0 Davidson lead.
McCausland capped off the offensive outburst for Davidson with her second goal of the contest off a cross from Traver in the 67th minute, finishing off the scoring and giving the Wildcats the 7-0 win.
Wildcat keeper Bevin English registered a save and earned the shutout win, her fourth shutout of the season.
Green and Bunnell combined for nine saves between the posts for The Citadel. Rachelle Ornelas, who entered the game tied for first with five goals in the conference, was held scoreless, but did record two of the Bulldogs three shots.
"I'm very proud of all the girls that played today," said head coach Bob Winch. "They were very unselfish and played with a great atttitude. They were very positive towards one another."
The Citadel will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 6 as they host Wofford at 5 p.m. at WLI Field.
