SALEM, Va. --- Jessica Welfare (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley) scored off a penalty kick in the first half as the Maroons held on to win, 1-0 at Virginia Wesleyan at Foster Field in ODAC action Saturday afternoon. The Maroons improve to 8-3-1, 5-0 in the ODAC. The Marlins dropped to 6-2-2, 4-1 in conference play.

With only two minutes remaining in the first half, Welfare was fouled in the box which drew a penalty kick. She drove it into the left side to give her team the eventual game-winner. It was her fifth goal of the season.

The Roanoke defense then played outstanding soccer, pitching their fourth-straight shutout to secure the win. It's the Maroons seventh shutout of the season, including the seventh out of their last nine outings.

With the win, the Maroons earned their first win over Virginia Wesleyan since the 2001 season. It breaks a 12-game skid against the Marlins, which holds a 15-12-2 series lead. It's the Maroons sixth-straight win of the season, the longest since the 2007 season (10).

The Maroons held a slight edge in shots (9-7), including 5-2 in shots on goal. The Marlins did have a 6-1 corner kicks advantage.

Lindsay Kooiman (Fredricksburg, VA, Mountain View) collected two saves for Roanoke. Erica Keil and Bethany Bayles totaled two saves each for Virginia Wesleyan.

Kara Kapell (Trumbull, CT, Trumbull) led Roanoke with three shots, one on goal. Danielle Stephens totaled three shots for VWC, followed by Christina Fernandes with two, including one on goal.

The women return to action on Tuesday, October 5 as they travel to Emory & Henry in conference action. Game time is scheduled for at 7 p.m. start.

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