VIRGINIA BEACH -- Seniors Jessica Edelman (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) and Christina Fernandes (Tinton Falls, N.J./Tinton Falls) combined for the first Virginia Wesleyan College goal on Saturday to start an 8-0 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over Hollins University.

Edelman scored the goal, off a Fernandes assist, in the 13th minute and left the game several minutes later, with the remainder of the Virginia Wesleyan starters. VWC's deep bench was utilized the rest of the way as 28 Marlins competed, including three goalies.

Six Marlins scored, led sophomore Sarah Nickle (Pennsville, N.J./Memorial) and rookie Kristen Cherry (Raleigh, N.C./Needham B. Broughton) with a pair of goals each.  Cherry, who scored her first two goals of the season, hit her first in the 55th minute, splitting a pair of defenders for a shot on the run from about 10 yards out.  She also scored the final goal of the game in the 75th minute.  Nickle knocked in back-to-back goals in the 69th and 72nd minutes, with her second shot assisted by sophomore Caitlyn Bishop (Virginia Beach/Princess Anne).

Bishop was key in the offensive effort throughout the game and finished with two assists, her first a pass to rookie Theresa Yunger (Crownsville, Md./Annapolis) for a goal in the 52d minute.  Bishop also tacked on a goal herself, scoring on a boomer from about 20 yards out on a free kick in the 63rd minute.

Rookie Kaitlyn Clunan (Virginia Beach/Bayside) added to the scoring, notching the Marlins' second goal in the 29th minute on a short shot set up by an assist from junior Cat Whited (Fredericksburg, Md./Stafford).

Virginia Wesleyan (6-0-1, 1-0-1) out-shot Hollins 32-2 and owned a 12-2 advantage in corner kicks. 

Erica Keil (Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic) started in goal for Virginia Wesleyan played the entire first half, recording one save.  Rookies Cat Brown (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) and Mackenzie McGurgan (Conway, Pa./Freedom Area) split the second half.  Brandi Chesne recorded 10 saves for Hollins (2-4, 0-2).

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Tuesday, Sept. 18, playing at Randolph-Macon College at 4:15 p.m.

--AMDG--