Behind a career night from
Kate McDonnell, the Fordham women's soccer team posted its best offensive performance since 2006 and the largest margin of victory since 2003, as the Rams knocked off The Citadel, 5-0, at W.L.I. Field in Charleston, South Carolina, as a part of the Charleston Cup.
The win improves Fordham's record to 3-2-0 on the year, while The Citadel fell to 0-5. The five-goal outburst by the Rams is the most by Fordham since a 5-1 win over Temple on October 27, 2006, while also being the largest margin of victory for the Rams since a 7-0 win over Temple on October 10, 2003.
The Rams wasted little time, scoring in the opening minute of the game, as
Kate McDonnell connected with
Jessica Widmann on a flick pass, which Widmann deposited into the net for her third goal of the season, just 30 seconds into the game.
Jessica Widmann had two goals and one assist on Friday. Fordham made it 2-0 in the fifth minute, as
Nicol Natale found the back of the net. McDonnell hit a lead pass to Widmann for a shot, which the rebound came right to Natale for her first of the season.
After a pair of early assists, McDonnell then found the back of the net twice in the 26
th and 29
th minutes to increase the Fordham lead to 4-0. First, she scored on a shot from 35 yards out to the upper 90 off a pass from
Turner Block in the 26
th minute. Then, she scored on a rebound off a
Kristina Maksuti free kick in the 29
th minute.
The Rams capped the scoring in the 82
nd minute, as Widmann dribbled wide of the 18 yard box and scored on a chip shot over the goalkeeper for her second goal of the game and fourth of the year.
In net,
Megan Fitzgerald and
Adaeze Obinelo each played a half with neither having to make a save in the shutout. Fordham held the Bulldogs to just five shots and one corner kick offensively. For The Citadel, Abby Kroger had eight saves over the first 86 minutes of action.
The Fordham women's soccer team finishes play at the Charleston Cup on Sunday, September 6
th, when the Rams take on the College of Charleston, beginning at 1:00 PM.