STAUNTON, Va. — The Averett University women's soccer team dominated Mary Baldwin College 10-1 to earn its first win of the season.
 
Freshman midfielder Pippa Burge started the scoring early for Averett (1-9, 1-4 USA South) on a cross from Ebonee Strother in the fifth minute of play.
 
Two minutes later, freshman forward Julia Ritcey headed the ball in for a 2-0 lead. Ritcey netted another in the first period and finished with three goals for the afternoon to lead the Cougars in scoring.
 
"The team is starting to really gel. We're a young team, and we're getting better and better every game," said Averett head coach Carly Pearce. "We executed very well today, and what we practiced came to fruition in the game."
 
In the ninth minute, Burge's 20-yard strike made its way to the goal, and Johanna Ohrnberg netted two balls for Averett to lead 6-1 at halftime. 
 
Mary Baldwin (2-8, 0-6 USA South) continued to struggle in the second period as the Cougars continued to play aggressively with goals from Ritcey, Katie Abelseth, Minja Antikainen and Cassidy Feldt.
 
Amanda Gustavsson and Kim Josephson had two assists apiece for the Cougars, and Ashley Jones returned to the net after suffering an injury last week. She finished with four saves.
 
Averett returns to Daly Field on Saturday to play conference opponent LaGrange at 4:30 p.m.