First-Place Gators Record Fifth Straight Shutout
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Allegheny remained atop the standings in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) after powering past Hiram, 2-0, at Frank B. Fuhrer Field on Tuesday night. Although the score margin wasn't entirely indicative, the Gators were the dominant team throughout the league tilt as senior goal keeper Emily Karr logged her fifth consecutive shutout.
Allegheny (8-3-2, 3-0-1 NCAC) outshot Hiram (3-9-1, 0-4-0) 24-2, although the Gators had only a few good attempts during the first part of the match. Keeping most of the action deep in the offensive third, Allegheny finally cashed in on the heavy pressure in the 45th minute. Freshman Emma Loniewski picked up her first collegiate point after passing it wide from the midfield where sophomore Emily Byers delivered a crack from left to right that sailed over the outstretched hands of Terriers' starting net minder Kate Valaitis. The shot covered about 25 yards while resulting in Byers' second finish of the campaign.
The Gators added an insurance marker in the 54th minute as Ashley Lehr delivered a spectacular through ball between two defender from the middle of the pitch. Off the edge of Lehr's foot and covering about 10 yards, Katrina Gazsi corralled the pass in stride just outside the six and slammed home her second goal of the season.
Lisa Silvestro, who played the final 45 minutes in net for the Terriers, played well in mitigating the damage. Silvestro had eight saves in the second half, including a diving stop and a two-handed leaping punch over the crossbar.
Emily Karr, who has played every minute between the posts this season for the Gators, extended her scoreless streak to 470 minutes while securing her 10th clean sheet of the year.
