WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Nov. 17, 2017)-- Top-ranked Central Missouri Jennies Soccer won their fourth consecutive Central Region Championship Friday afternoon as they shutout the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs 3-0 at Jennies Field. With the win the Jennies improve to 23-0 and advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals for a fourth straight year.
How It Happened
• Both teams fought windy conditions all game, but the Jennies controlled the tempo against the Bulldogs (13-4-5) outshooting them 23-14 overall with a 11-6 shots on frame advantage. Three different Jens scored in the win.
• It took some time for UCM to get on the board as the scoreless game did not end until the 33rd minute.
Baylie Edwards hit a shot inside the right of the box that was blocked, but
Mikala Modiri was in the right spot at the right time to score off the block shot from inside box, giving the Jennies a 1-0 lead.
• Going into halftime, UCM outshot SWOSU 14-5 with three more shots on goal, 5-2. Like their previous game, the Jennies created separation from the opposition in the second period.
•
Haley Freeman gave UCM a 2-0 lead in the 52nd minute off another mistake by the Bulldogs. A SWOSU defender tried to clear the ball, but failed to get anything under kick. Freeman handled the ball from outside of the box, got to the top of it and nailed a shot that bounced in off the crossbar. The goal was Freeman's fourth of the year.
• 15 minutes later, Edwards took a shot from inside the box that was saved by SWOSU, but a foul was called setting her up for a penalty kick attempt. Edwards lined the shot up and hit the right end of the net, giving UCM a commanding 3-0 lead in the 67th minute.
• The Jens and Bulldogs both took nine more shots in the second period. UCM still held the shots on goal edge, 6-4, as they walked away with their 23rd straight win.
Jennies Stat Leaders
• Edwards and
Megan Woolley took the most shots with four apiece. Edwards had three of her four shots come on frame.
• Modiri finished with three shots, all coming on frame, for UCM.
• Freeman,
Abby Rhodes,
Kayla Hamner, and
Makayla Toth each finished with two shots, respectively.
• In net,
Ana Dilkes grabbed six saves in 14 shots faced as she and the Jens posted their 20th shutout of the year.
For the Bulldogs
• Alimata Rabo took the most shots against the Jennies this year with eight. She had four of them come on goal.
• Memory Phiri was the only other player to take more than one shot against UCM's defense with two overall and one on goal.
• Goalkeeper Lexie Bates grabbed eight saves for SWOSU while allowing three goals.
News and Notes
• The Jennies have now won four straight Central Region crowns, all under
Lewis Theobald.
• The win on Sunday is the 23rd straight for UCM, which continues to extend the program record for consecutive. The previous best was 19 straight by the 2010 squad for UCM.
• The Jennies 23 wins this season are also a single season program record. The most wins prior to this season was 21 set three different times (2014, 2015, and 2016).
• The shutout over SWOSU is the 20th of the season for the Jennies which is a single season program record. The previous high was 19 set last season by the Jens.
• Dilkes extended her NCAA-II record of career shutouts with her 63nd in Friday's win. Her 20 shutouts and 23 wins this season are both single season program records as well.
• The Jennies have now scored at least one goal in 56 straight games, which is an MIAA record.
• UCM is now 11-7-3 all-time in NCAA Tournament play and 11-6-3 under
Lewis Theobald.
Up Next
The Jennies will take on Midwest Region Champion Grand Valley State in the Elite Eight, with a berth to the Final Four on the line. Kickoff against the Lakers is set for 1 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 19, at Jennies Field.
