The GW women’s soccer team opened conference play on a strong note Saturday afternoon, beating Richmond 2-1 at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex.

The Colonials improved their record to 3-3-2 (1-0 Atlantic 10) while Richmond dropped to 2-4-1 (0-1 A-10).

“We are developing as I’d hoped,” head coach Tanya Vogel said after the game. “We have been working really hard on pushing up the pace and improving our mental toughness.”

Senior captain Lindsay Bruno said her team was expecting a hard fought game. The Colonials, she said, responded well to the challenge.

“We thought it was going to be one of our toughest games,” she said. “But now our confidence is up there and we’re feeling good.”

However, the game did not start as GW had hoped. The Spiders struck first when sophomore Kelsey Blank scored off a corner kick from senior Olina Vidarsdottir at the 21:30 mark. But the Colonials did not stay quiet for long.

At the 36:33 mark, a Richmond player fouled junior Ina Kain on a breakaway, setting up a penalty kick. Kain converted on the opportunity and tied the contest.

Vogel credited Kain’s performance as a key part of the victory.

Early in the second half, with GW on the attack, sophomore Christine Jodrie delivered a perfect pass to Kain, which she headed into the goal. The two goals were her first pair of the season.

Vogel recently said the team needs to work on finishing opportunities around the goal. However, she said Saturday that she is seeing improvement.

Besides praising the play of Kain and the Colonial offense, the coach also gave special recognition to junior goalie Anna Handzlik, who had another outstanding game, saving four shots.

“Very early she stopped a breakaway which just saved us,” Vogel said. “She and our four backs are the anchor of this team.”