NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Soccer defeated Earlham College, 3-0, on Wednesday for their fifth shutout of the season. The Belles stay unbeaten and improve to 6-0-2 on the season while the Quakers fall to 1-7.
The Saint Mary's attack would continue to dominate early as the Belles would get off four shots before the Quakers could get a single shot off. While continuing to pressure the Earlham defense and goalkeeper, after picking up the ball in midfield less than a minute after coming on, junior Eleah Hedstrom (St. Joseph, MI) would play a long through ball past multiple Earlham defenders to find the foot of freshman Mia Johnson (Mission Viejo, CA). Johnson would power past a couple of players and slot the ball in the bottom right corner past the goalkeeper.
The Belles would go into the halftime break with their 1-0 and would lead Earlham, 6-4, in total shots. Both teams would sit equal in saves, 2-2, and corner kicks, 2-2.
The Saint Mary's offense wouldn't slow down to open the second half as less than three minutes into the half, after senior Grace Reyda (Penfield, NY) crossed the ball into the Earlham defense, a bad touch by the Quakers would find the ball at the foot of Johnson again who would slot it into the back of the net to secure her brace and put the Belles up 2-0.
Just four minutes later, freshman Marley Cady (Cincinnati, OH) would take possession in the middle of the field and take a couple touches before playing a long lobbed through ball up to Johnson who would take a touch into the box and put it into the bottom left to secure her second hattrick of the season.
The Belles defense would continue to shine as they would hold off multiple late Earlham attacks to secure the Belles fifth shutout of the season. Saint Mary's would outshoot Earlham 16-13 overall and 10-7 in shots on goal while the Quakers would have a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Johnson added three goals to her season tally, bringing her total to 10. Hedstrom and Cady would add assists on the night. Johnson led the team with six total shots while freshman Bella Musachio (Rochester Hills, MI) would add three and sophomore Danielle Escobedo (Yorba Linda, CA) added two. Johnson would add four shots on goal while Musachio had three.
Freshman goalkeeper Meghan Krayer (Hinsdale, IL) would earn her first collegiate victory as she would make seven saves on the game, the most in a game this season for the Belles.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's hits the road for a single game on September 30 as they open MIAA play at Kalamazoo College with a 5:30pm start. The Belles return home on October 4 as they host Calvin University for a 1pm start.
