Box Score Pella, Iowa, September 1, 2014 – The No. 4-ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team posted its third-straight shutout with a 3-0 win Sunday afternoon at Central College in Pella, Iowa.
Sophomore goalkeepers Nina Gerson (45 minutes, one save) and Lizzy Crist (45 minutes, zero saves) combined for the shutout in goal for Washington U. Through three games, the Bears have yet to allow a goal and have outshot their opponents, 79-22.
Central (1-1) nearly found the net in the opening two minutes of the game after a misplay by Gerson in the box that resulted in a corner kick. The Dutch had two opportunities to score off the corner kick, but a team save and shot wide left by Emily Saville kept it scoreless early in the contest.
The Bears got on the scoreboard in the sixth minute after senior Lillie Toaspern got around the Central defense and found junior Liz Collins in the box for a one-timer. The goal for Collins was her first of the season and sixth of her career.
Washington U. continued to put the pressure on midway through the first half with some fresh legs, and it resulted in the second goal of the game in the 28th minute. Junior Abby Starker came in off the bench and made a nice run, and sent a through ball to sophomore Katie Chandler who one-timed it past Central goalkeeper Sydney Lunardi for her first goal of the season.
The Bears nearly made it a three-goal game just before halftime after sophomore Hannah Rosenberg's shot from 30 yards out went off the crossbar and out of bounds. Washington U. outshot Central 12-4 in the first half.
Washington U. continued to pressure on the offense end and registered the first 10 shots of the second half. Toaspern's shot from 15 yards out went off the crossbar at 54:32, and then less than a minute later her left-footed shot went wide left. She found the net for her first goal of the season at 88:02 when senior Kaylin Balley sent a through ball that Toaspern sent to the far left corner.
The Bears outshot Central 29-7 and had a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Washington U. (3-0) hosts Rhodes College on Saturday, Sept. 6, in its 2014 home opener. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the Bear Sports Network at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/wustl/.
Bear Notebook: The Bears have an 18-game unbeaten streak dating back to last season … Washington U. has won the only two meetings in school history between the two teams … The win for head coach Jim Conlon was his 199th of his women's college coaching career … Washington U. is off to a 3-0 start for the fourth-straight season … The Bears are 42-3-2 in the last three seasons … Toaspern's goal in the second half was the 33rd of her career, tied for sixth most in school history.
