The women’s soccer team congratulates Riley Flanagan ’25 after her first-half goal against visiting Hampton University Sept. 2 at Patchin Field. The Keydets went on to earn a 2-0 victory for their second straight win early in the season.—Photo by Chuck Steenburgh ’86.
The VMI women’s soccer team continued to improve during the 2021 season and showed signs for future success under Chris Haught-Thompson, third-year head coach.
The Keydets opened the season with three close losses but then won two straight, including a 2-1 overtime thriller against Winthrop Aug. 28 and then a 2-0 victory over visiting Hampton Sept. 2.
Riley Flanagan ’25 was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week Aug. 31 after totaling six points—two goals and two assists—between the win over Winthrop and a close 4-3 loss to Iona Aug. 26. She also scored the golden goal against Winthrop in the overtime period.
The Round Hill, Virginia, native was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team after tallying eight goals for the year, which tied for fourth-most in the league. She also tallied five assists—tied for fifth in the league—for a total of 21 points, which tied for third-most in the conference.
The Keydets finished the season with three wins but found other positives, including Whitney Edwards-Roberson ’22 making the All-Southern Conference Tournament team for her efforts in a close loss to The Citadel in the postseason SoCon tourney.
VMI earned a hard-fought 2-2 tie with Mercer Senior Day, Oct. 10, in a match that recognized departing seniors Maria Vargas ’22, Edwards-Roberson, Erin Kozlowski ’22, Sarah Anschutz ’22, and Gabby Criscione ’22.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared at vmikeydets.com.
