ALLENDALE, Mich. (Nov. 18, 2016)-- The third-ranked Central Missouri Jennies Soccer team (21-1, 10-1 MIAA) won their third straight Central Region crown Friday night with a 1-0 shutout victory over MIAA foe Fort Hays State. The Jennies have won 12 straight games and advance to the National Quarterfinals for the third straight year.
Senior
Hannah Pyle scored the lone goal and gamewinner for the Jennies. In net, junior
Ana Dilkes grabbed six saves to pick up her 21st win and 17th shutout of the season.
Dilkes shutout also moves her career total to 43, which is tied for the most in MIAA history with Emily Huyck (1999-01) of Truman State.
The Jennies and Tigers battled with the wind the entire first half as a weather delay and constant rain in the first game setup slippery field conditions for Central Missouri and Fort Hays State. Both teams struggled to find any rhythm and entered halftime with five shots apiece total and two shots on goal.
The Jennies broke through early in the second half when Pyle scored her 11th goal of the season in the 52nd minute. She found room on the right inside of the box and nailed her shot into the left side of the net from six feet out.
Pyle's goal is the 35th of her career which is tied for fourth most all-time in program history. She tied former teammate
Julie Ireland (2012-15) who also has 35.
The wind did not let up at any point in the second half as the Tigers applied pressure on the offensive side taking eight total shots and four shots on goal, while allowing three total shots and one shot on goal by the Jennies.
Offensively, the Jennies finished eight total shots and three shots on goal.
Defensively, the Jennies allowed 13 shots total and six shot on goals en route to their 19th shutout of the season. Their 19 shutouts this season is tied for the most in Division II and is the most in a single season in program history.
The Jennies will play Grand Valley State in the National Quarterfinal round Sunday afternoon at the GVSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for noon CT.
