GREENVILLE, Ill. — The women's soccer team scored twice in the first half and added three goals in the opening 16 minutes of the second half to defeat Principia College 5-0 Tuesday night at Francis Field.
The Panthers improved to 3-12 overall and 3-3 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, while Principia fell to 5-7-2 overall and 2-4-1 in the conference.
Greenville controlled the action from the opening whistle, outshooting Principia 23-3 and holding a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Idaly Valenzuela opened the scoring in the 26th minute when she finished a pass from Avery Rahden for a 1-0 Panthers lead. Greenville doubled its advantage late in the first half as Josie Sanchez found the back of the net in the 45th minute off an assist from Maddie Cooke.
The Panthers wasted little time after halftime. Just 18 seconds into the second period, Rahden converted a pass from Alexa Chavez to extend the lead to 3-0. Valenzuela struck again in the 53rd minute for her second goal of the night before Rahden added her second score of the match in the 61st minute to cap the scoring.
Valenzuela and Rahden each recorded two goals, with Rahden also contributing an assist. Sanchez added a goal, while Cooke and Chavez each finished with an assist.
Greenville goalkeeper Natalie McCullough earned the shutout, making two saves over 90 minutes. Principia goalkeeper Isabella Brancati recorded four saves.
The Panthers generated consistent offensive pressure throughout the contest. Rahden led Greenville with six shots, while Valenzuela also tallied six attempts. Cooke added four shots and Ava Pollard contributed three.
Principia's best scoring opportunity came in the 14th minute when Zoe Houseman forced a save from McCullough. Kiara Smith added two shots for the Thunder.
Greenville finished with two corner kicks and committed six fouls, while Principia took three corner kicks and was not whistled for a foul in the match.
The victory gives the Panthers their third conference win of the season as they continue their push through the final stretch of SLIAC play.
