VIRGINIA BEACH -- Like most athletes, Katie Roberts strives to be a leader on the soccer field. 

But, for a couple seconds Saturday she didn't mind being a follower. 

Roberts (Alexandria/Thomas A. Edison), a rookie, followed her own shot on Foster Field at the Trinder Center and produced the winning goal in a 1-0 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) victory over a scrappy Shenandoah University squad.

Roberts scored her goal in th 73rd minute following a stop by Hornets goalie Erin Septer (Hamilton, N.J./West) seconds earlier.  The ball bounced off the goalie however, and back into Roberts' possession for a rebound kick about seven yards out into the left side of the net for what turned out to be the winning goal.

Roberts goal, her fourth of the season, was part of a stepped-up second half offense by the Marlins, who outshot the Hornets 13-8 in the half.  Septer stepped up her game as well however, producing seven of her 12 total saves for the game.

Virginia Wesleyan finished with a 19-10 advantage in shots and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.  Megan Gerhart (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) recorded four saves for the Marlins.

VWC competes again on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Sweet Briar College in ODAC action at 4:30 p.m.

--AMDG--