The No. 13 ranked Emory University women's soccer team scored three unanswered goals, including two in the second half, to defeat Covenant College, 3-1, Thursday evening at Scotland Yards on Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Nimmer recorded her first-career brace to help the Eagles improve to 5-1 and drop the Scots to 4-2 on the year.
Covenant had upset on its mind early as Rachel Wall scored in the 11th minute to give the home side an early lead. Wall drove through the Emory backline and touched a shot towards the goal. An Emory defender reached it before crossing the goal line but the clear attempt hit Wall who was finishing her stride and went into the goal. The score was the first allowed by the Eagles in eight meetings with Covenant dating back to 2012.
However, Emory was not to go down without a fight as consistent pressuring on the attacking end finally led to the equalizing goal with three minutes left to play in the first half. Sophomore Emily Woodall had a perfect centering pass to the far post where Nimmer was there to redirect it in.
At the break, Emory out-gained Covenant 17-7 in shots and 7-4 in shots on goal.
The Eagles appeared to have the lead twice as play resumed following the break but a pair of scoring threats were waved off by the side referee. In total, Emory saw three goals called off on the evening due to offsides.
Not to be discouraged, Nimmer provided the go ahead goal with 23:43 left to play as she floated a shot over the diving Covenant goalie. The goal gave Nimmer her first-ever multi-goal game of her career and is now in a tie for the team lead with five goals.
A few moments later, junior Michelle Davidson added to the Emory lead as she headed in a perfect corner kick from sophomore Madison Teng. The goal was her first of the season.
The Eagles ended the night with a 36-10 lead in shots, posted a 16-6 margin in shots on goal, and earned 10 corner kicks to Covenant's four. Junior Sophia Garcia matched her season-high with five saves as she won her fifth decision between the posts.
Emory continues its stretch away from Atlanta as the Eagles head to Charlotte this weekend to meet Lynchburg on Sunday. The match will get underway at 2:00 PM at the Charlotte Soccer Academy.
