Box Score

The Malone University women's soccer team (1-0) opened up its 2013 campaign with a bang, trouncing St. Thomas Aquinas College (NY) 4-0 Saturday afternoon. The four goals scored in the opener are only three shy of their season output from all of last season.

The Pioneers didn't have to wait long to record their first goal in 2013. Freshman Brianna Smith got the Pioneers rolling by redirecting a whipped in cross from sophomore Natalie Rostedt into the top corner of the net to put the Pioneers ahead just 3:40 seconds into the young season. Sophomore Leah Arnold added the second tally in the 32nd minute when she pounced on a loose ball in the box and slotted it into the side netting. Freshman Christine Najjar, who troubled the Spartan defense with her pace all game long, added a third goal just four minutes later when she received a through ball from freshman Simone Keibler, snuck in all alone on goal, and beat the goalkeeper to her left. Rostedt would cap the scoring late in the second half beating the keeper high on a strike from 25 yards out.

Najjar and Rostedt led the Pioneers with a goal and assist each. Najjar's five shots led Malone while Smith took four attempts of her own. Sophomore Staci Hackett and junior Sam Soeder combined for a team shutout in goal. Hackett (1-0) picked up the win playing the first 60 minutes and making a save. Soeder came on for the last 30 minutes and made three stops.

Malone outshot St. Thomas Aquinas 19-10 and held a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks. The Pioneers will look to make it two in a row on Monday, September 9, when they play at Ohio Valley (WV) University at 1:00 pm.