Franklin Takes Opener From Eureka, 10-0
FRANKLIN, Ind. – Franklin freshman forward Brandy Ramaj needed only 74 seconds to net the game-winning goal and recorded her first career hat trick in the 13th minute, sending the host Grizzlies to a 10-0 non-conference win over the Eureka College women's soccer team, Sunday afternoon at Faught Stadium in Franklin, Ind. Sunday's contest marked Eureka's first match of the 2011 season.
Ramaj took a feed from Vanessa Benham and put a shot in the back of the net 1:14 into the match for a 1-0 lead. She later added strikes in the 12th minute and the 13th minute to push the Grizzlies (2-0-0) in front, 3-0. Ali Norton made it 4-0 less than nine minutes later and joined Ramaj in having multi-goal games when she scored again in the 32nd minute for a 6-0 advantage. The hosts carried a an 8-0 lead into halftime.
Eureka (0-1-0) junior goalkeeper Sami Williamson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) played the full 90 minutes in goal and made eight saves for the Red Devils. Franklin attempted 27 shots for the match and fired 12 corner kicks.
The defeat spoiled the debut of first-year Eureka head coach Robin Ramirez. He used 13 players in Sunday's match, including five newcomers.
The Red Devils will look to bounce back in their home opener this Wednesday versus non-conference rival Knox at Traister Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
NOTES: Eureka is now 1-4-0 in season-openers and 0-4-0 when opening on the road ... The loss drops the Red Devils to 2-2-0 all-time against Franklin and 2-3-0 against members of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference ... Williamson played the full 90 minutes in goal for the first time since Oct. 20, 2010 at MacMurray ... Her eight saves were her best effort since making nine stops against Franklin one year ago to the day at Traister Field on Sept. 4, 2010.
