KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 30, 2017)-- Top-ranked Central Missouri Jennies Soccer (24-0-0) posted their 21st shutout of the season as they took down No. 17 Mercy College 3-0 Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Division Women's Soccer Final Four at Swope Soccer Village. With the win, the Jennies are now 25-0-0 on the season and will play for the Division II Women's Soccer Championship.
How It Happened
• Like they have done nearly all season, the Jennies controlled the pace and set the tempo early against the Mavericks (18-4-1) UCM outshot Mercy 24-9 for the game, with a 12-2 shots on frame edge.
• The Jennies got on the board in the 14th minute when
Abby Rhodes got the ball down the left side of the field and found
Megan Woolley on the left inside of the box from the left wing for the score. Woolley played a quick tap to the left end of the net to give UCM a 1-0 lead.
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Makayla Toth pushed the Jennies lead to 2-0 in the 19th minute when she handled a loose ball on the right side of the field. She got to right end of the box and sent her shot to the high left end of the net for her 11th goal of the season.
• UCM went into the halftime break outshooting Mercy 10-2 overall with a 5-1 shots on goal edge.
• The Jennies had early opportunities to score in the second period, but did not capitalize until the 57th minute.
Jada Scott got inside the box and was fouled setting her up for the penalty kick attempt which she hit with ease. It was the only score the Jens had in the second period, but it was all they needed.
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Ana Dilkes and the Jennies defense played well yet again limiting the Mavericks to seven shots in the second period while the offense produced 14 shots as UCM secured the shutout win.
Jennies Stat Leaders
• It was a balanced attack for the UCM offense with seven different players producing at least two shots in the game. Toth and Scott led the way with four shots apiece and two shots on goal each.
• Rhodes had two shots for the day, both on goal, and produced one assist on Woolley's goal which proved to be the gamewinner.
• Woolley put up two shots with one on goal that she made count for the gamewinner.
• In net, Dilkes grabbed two saves in nine shots faced for UCM as she and the defense posted their 21st shutout of the season.
For the Mavericks
• Heidi Serna was the high shot taker for Mercy with three shots overall, but just one came on frame.
• Ileen Mejia was the only other player to get off more than one shot with two, but none were on goal.
• Jessica Brandt took just one shot but it was the only other shot that came on frame for the Mavericks.
• Goalkeeper Melissa Torres grabbed nine saves in 90 minutes of action, but allowed all three goals in 24 shots faced.
News and Notes
• The Jennies will make an appearance in the NCAA Division II Soccer Championship game for the first time in program history.
• UCM continues to extend its program record for consecutive wins with 25. The 25 wins are also the most in a single season for the Jennies. The previous best for both marks was 19 straight wins (2010 season) and 21 overall wins (2014, '15, and '16 seasons).
• Dilkes, who is already the all-time Division II leader in career shutouts, added to her total with her 64th shutout in Thursday's win. Dilkes and the Jennies defense's 21 shutouts this season are also program and MIAA single season records.
• The Jennies have scored at least one goal in 58 straight games now. It is already a program and MIAA record.
• In the NCAA postseason, UCM is now 13-7-3 all-time and 13-6-3 under
Lewis Theobald.
Up Next
The Jennies will square off against the No. 2 overall ranked team in Division II in the Carson-Newman Eagles. The Eagles are 21-0-1 entering the Championship game. Kickoff for the National Championship is set for 12 p.m. central time at Swope Soccer Village.
