Phillips Tallies Twice to Lead Capital to Victory

Box Score
Holly Phillips Video Interview

COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer team struck quickly Friday, scoring twice in the first 25 minutes of action en route to a 2-1 triumph over Johnson & Wales (R.I.) on the first day of the Fort Rapids Invitational at Bernlohr Stadium.

Junior Holly Phillips (Bellbrook, Ohio) scored twice to lead the Crusaders, who dominated possession and outshot the Wildcats (0-3 overall) by a 7-5 margin.

The contest was delayed for 40 minutes at the 11:11 mark of the first half after Capital (2-2) had taken a 2-0 advantage. Play slowed in the second half, but Capital continued to control a majority of possession and held on for the win.

"I'm a little disappointed with our focus, because we can be better at that," Capital coach Chris Kouns said. "But at the same time, you give someone like Holly credit, who missed her first one but came back and put the next two away.

"I told our players after the lightning delay that this is no different from training, you have to get better … as we move forward and try to establish our identity, hopefully that will continue to be it."

Phillips' first goal came in the 22nd minute off a beautiful pass over the top of the defense by junior Katie Freshour (North Canton, Ohio).

She found the back of the net again just over three minutes later, rebounding a shot by senior Natalie Fiorelli (Pickerington, Ohio).

Following the weather delay, Johnson & Wales took advantage of a Crusader miscue in the defensive third to halve its deficit in the 43rd minute.

"An ugly win is still a win," Kouns said. "That's important for a team like us trying to establish an identity. We understand we're going to have games like this. We've got a lot of players who've been role players in the past, and those players are trying to step up and establish they can be 'go-to' players."

Kouns also complimented the play of freshman Rachael Wintering (Lewis Center, Ohio) and sophomore Sam Wentz (Haddon Heights, N.J.).

In the first game of the tournament, Adrian defeated Salem (N.C.) 5-0.

The Crusaders resume play in the Fort Rapids Invitational Sunday against reigning Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion Adrian. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m., or approximately 20 minutes following the conclusion of the 11 a.m. contest between Salem and Johnson & Wales.