September 21, 1998

Monmouth,IL – The Monmouth women’s soccer team’s season record stands at 3-2 after the Scots split a pair of non-conference matches this weekend at home. Monmouth blanked MacMurray 3-0 on Friday afternoon and then dropped a close 2-1 decision to Augustana on Sunday. The matches close out a stretch of five non-conference contests to open the season and the team now prepares for its Midwest Conference opener on September 23 against Grinnell.

Monmouth thoroughly dominated play on Friday against the MacMurray Highlanders. Junior Colleen Shaughnessy (Springfield,IL/Ursuline Academy) played the entire game in goal for Monmouth and did not even have to make a save as the Scots defense played brilliantly. It was the second shutout of the season for Monmouth, which also blanked Greenville a week ago. Despite dominating the first half, the Scots could not score. "In the first half we played well but could not finish," said Monmouth coach Simon Cordery. "We became more selective in the second half and as a result managed to defeat a tough, well-disciplined team."

Freshman midfielder Jennifer Northway (St. Louis,MO/McCluer) scored her first collegiate goal to open the scoring just three minutes into the second period. Northway was able to convert an assist pass from Jill Heneghan (Godfrey,IL/Alton) for the goal. Sophomore Kim Morris (Crystal Lake,IL/ Central) also scored her first goal of the season, doubling the Monmouth advantage a minute later as senior Tisha Kimoto (Pittsford,NY/Waubonsie Valley [IL] HS) picked up her second assist. Junior Sarah Stevenson (St. Louis,MO/Cleveland NJROTC) connected on her second goal in two matches as she knocked an assist pass from sophomore Bethany Bresley (Mundelein,IL/ HS) past the Highlander goalie with ten minutes to play to close out the scoring.

Monmouth could not duplicate the victory on Sunday, having to play from behind after allowing an early goal to Augustana. "We started slowly and paid for it by conceding an early goal then allowing Augustana to control the flow of the match," said Cordery. "In the second half we played with more intensity but could not get a second goal in a half we controlled, despite excellent performances from key players."

The Vikings scored twice in the first 45 minutes of play to lead 2-0 at the break. Monmouth got on the board at the 55:16 mark on a goal by Kimoto, her fourth of the season. She scored off a deflection shot from Northway, who was credited with an assist on the play. Trisha Larson (Rockford,IL/East) and Shaughnessy split time in the nets for Monmouth. Larson was credited with nine saves and two goals allowed in the first half and Shaughnessy made five saves in the second half.

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