Pastrana scores six in big win over Southwest Virginia

RALEIGH, NC—Wake Tech Women's Soccer picked up their first win of the season on Monday afternoon in dominant fashion. They defeated Southwest Virginia 14-1 at WRAL Soccer Park, led by Kayly Pastrana's six-goal performance. The sophomore scored twice from a direct free kick and once from a corner when she curled the ball in to the back of the net with an in-swinging shot. 

It was a shaky start for the Eagles, giving up a penalty within the first minute of the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Meyer, in her second-straight start, made the penalty save, diving to her left to stop the shot. 

Then, in the 12th minute, Pastrana opened her account with a long-distance free kick that soared over the keeper. Just two minutes later she scored a near-identical goal coming on another free kick. In the 18th minute she secured her first-career hat trick. 

Freshman forward Madalyn Yates made it 4-0 in the 23rd minute and sophomore forward Savannah Backholm scored her first goal of the season in the 27" minute to make it 5-0. Backholm would score again on a curling right-footed shot in the 48th minute. The score was 6-1 at halftime. 

Pastrana would match her first half goal tally in the second half, scoring in the 64th, 68th, and 79th minutes. Other Wake Tech goals were scored by Destiny Yesenia Bullock, Michelle Pagoada-Hernandez from the penalty spot, Jessica McCune, and Alexia Gomez. Each were their first-career goals. 

Monday marked the largest margin of victory for the Eagles since 2021 when they beat Patrick & Henry 18-1. Pastrana's six goals were also the most since Aimy Nunez Molina scored seven in that same game. Wake Tech improved to 1-1 on the season after the win. Next up, an exhibition against Shaw University on Friday, August 30. The Eagles won't see regular season action again until Wednesday, September 11 when they host USC Lancaster.