LAREDO, Texas – Florida Southern College women's soccer left Texas with a big road win after a 4-0 shutout of Texas A&M International University Saturday night.
The Mocs (3-2-1, 0-0 SSC) dominated in all factors of the game as freshman forwards
Sierra Spirk and
Rilee Hasegawa scored their first collegiate goals, while
Anita Vera and
Malia Brost added a third and fourth goal on the night. The Dustdevils (2-1-2, 0-0 LSC) had a penalty kick attempt late but was saved by Moccasin keeper
Jenny Staten as TAMIU was shut out for their first loss of the season.
Florida Southern opened the game firing at the net with a shot by
Morgan Elliott early and another by Spirk that both missed wide. However, Spirk fed a great pass to Hasegawa five minutes into the game for an early 1-0 lead. Not only the first collegiate goal by Hasegawa but the first collegiate assist by Spirk by the freshman starters.
FSC continued to attack in the first half with shots on goal by Brost, Spirk, and
Meghan Kriney, all before TAMIU managed a shot. The Dustdevils finished the first half with two shots, including an attempt that was saved by Staten. The Mocs had nine shots in the first 45 minutes, including five on goal.
TAMIU opened the second half looking to equalize with an early shot, but once again, the Mocs scored early as Spirk found the net three minutes into the half. A deep boot into TAMIU territory bounced over the keeper's head and to Spirk for an easy goal. The Mocs didn't let up as Spirk had her fourth shot on goal, this time saved before Staten fended off pressure with a couple of clutch saves.
Despite some pressure from the Dustdevils, Florida Southern scored its third goal of the night as Vera entered off the bench and scored in a matter of minutes. Down by three, TAMIU earned a penalty kick opportunity in the final three minutes, but that was saved by Staten for the Dustdevils to remain scoreless. With the game in hand, Brost scored in the final minute for the Mocs to seal the shutout in a 4-0 rout of TAMIU.
The 19 shots by the Mocs set a new season-best, as did the 11 shots on goal. Staten had five saves in the match and tabbed her 18
th career shutout as a Moccasin. With two already this season, Staten needs one more shutout to tie a school record of 19 shutouts in a career (Martina Tangen Billing 2008-11).
The Mocs return to Florida and will open conference play on Wednesday when they travel to Eckerd College for a 7 p.m. start in St. Petersburg.
