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Life > Athletics > Soccer > 10/21/07
PIONEERS WIN FIFTH GAME IN A ROW
Box Score
 DENTON, Texas (October 21) – The Texas Woman’s University Pioneers extended their school-record winning streak to five games in a row with a 1-0 Lone Star Conference victory over the Eastern New Mexico University Zias on Sunday afternoon at the TWU Soccer Field in Denton.
TWU freshman midfielder Kyli Morgan (pictured, in maroon) scored the only goal of the game in the 9th minute of the first half. The scoring play began when the Pioneers’ Chastity Hayter dribbled the ball from right to left across the field in the ENMU end. When Hayter was met with resistance from the Zias defenders, she dropped the ball back to Morgan who had found free space approximately ten yards in front of the midfield stripe. Stepping into a shot, Morgan blasted the ball over the head of ENMU senior goalkeeper Stephanie Sanchez and into the upper right hand corner of the Zias’ net.
“When Chastity left the ball for me I saw that I had an opportunity to really rip it,” was how Morgan explained the first goal of her collegiate career. “I shot it as hard as I could, and hoped that it wouldn’t sail high. Fortunately, the ball stayed right inside the goal post and slipped in under the crossbar. It felt great to see that one get by the keeper.”
The Pioneers continued to stay aggressive following Morgan’s goal, and, as a result, carried play for the majority of the game. TWU generated numerous scoring chances in the latter part of the first half and throughout the second half. And, although, they could not add to their lead, the Pioneers’ consistent attack was enough to frustrate the visiting Zias.
“The quick goal by Kyli really gave us a lift,” said TWU head coach Fleur Benatar. “I really liked the way we responded after that. We kept pushing, and kept looking to score. Because of our aggressive play, Eastern New Mexico was on their heels all game long and never really got anything going.”
For the game, TWU outshot the Zias 18-9. On the rare occasions that the Zias were able to put a shot towards the TWU goal, the Pioneers’ junior goalkeeper, Aly Vincent, was there to make the save. Vincent stopped all four ENMU shots she faced to record her third shutout in a row (and her fifth of the season). Vincent has not allowed a goal against in her last 290 minutes played.
The contest was the final home game of the 2007 season for TWU. It was also the final home game of the careers of five senior members of the Pioneer squad - defender Sue Cribbes and midfielders Christine Hornisher, Natalie Grant, Krista Elbert, and Romy Luna.
“What a way to go out,” said Cribbes. “It was a really special day, with this being our last home game and all. This team is definitely coming together and playing like we are capable of playing. Hopefully we can keep it going just keep getting stronger and stronger.”
Just one week remains in the 2007 Lone Star Conference women’s soccer regular season. The top six teams in the conference standings will qualify for the 2007 Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament that will begin on Thursday, November 1, at the home field of the regular season conference champion. With their win today, TWU improves to 5-3 in conference play (and 8-8-1 on the season). Depending on the outcome of several other Lone Star Conference games on Sunday, the Pioneers could find themselves alone in third place in the conference standings.
“This winning streak has certainly come at the right time,” said Benatar. “Our goal at the start of the season was to make it to the conference tournament. Right now, we’re looking pretty good. There’s still some work to be done next week, but we are definitely headed in the right direction.”
Next up for the Pioneers will be a conference road game in San Angelo, Texas at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26, against Angelo State University.
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