CARLINVILLE, Ill. – The W women's soccer team had its most productive offensive output in over a year, by pummeling Blackburn College, 10-0, in a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) match on the road. The Owls improved to 2-6-2 (1-1 SLIAC), while the Beavers fell to 0-7-1 (0-2 SLIAC).
The last time MUW had a double-digit scoring match was almost exactly a year ago, when it toasted Eureka College – also by a 10-0 score – on October 1, 2023.
The dominating victory was a much-needed cure for MUW's recent skid that saw them go winless in their previous five matches. The W was finally able to showcase an offensive attack that seemed on the cusp of breaking through all season long, firing 33 shot attempts, overall, with 18 on goal. The Owls also owned a 14-0 advantage on corner kicks.
MUW's defense – which has been solid most of the season by a bend-but-don't-break mentality – totally dammed up the Beavers attack. Blackburn did not get any shot attempts, with most of the match played in Blackburn's defensive half.
Six different Owls scored a goal in the match, led by the tandem of
Kiersten Taylor,
Anacia Leyland, and
Kimi Norway, who all had multi-goal days. Taylor had two "bookend" goals, tallying MUW's first and last scores of the day. Taylor also assisted on three other goals, giving her seven points (tied for second-most in a single match by an Owls' player). She took two total shots and converted both.
With her three assists, Taylor surpassed
Lizzie Truelock (2019-22) as the Owls all-time assists leader, with 12. Taylor beat Truelock's mark in under two seasons with The W program.
Leyland topped the squad with three goals, the 11th "hat trick" in MUW program history. Leyland had five shot attempts and put three on-frame.
Norway also blasted five shot tries, putting four on target and netting two goals scored.
Abby Warchus and
Haley Kelley had goals in the 27th and 71st minutes, respectively. Starting goalkeeper
Alex Moon even got in on the action, as a field player, in the second half with a tally in the 80th minute.
Kate Blankenship booked a pair of assists.
Callie Abraham also had one "help" to her credit.
Moon and second-half goalie
Haven Tuggle combined to record MUW's second shutout of the season and 26th in program history.
The W won't have long to savor its win with another SLIAC match on tap for Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Eureka (Ill.) College.
