Cruz and Hobson both collect first career goals for the Scots

Ryan Phillips - Sports Editor

Monmouth College women’s soccer began their second week of the season facing off against Millikin University on Wednesday. The Big Blue shut down the Scots in the first half scoring two goals on 17 attempts with Monmouth having no shots on goal.

Fighting Scots goalkeeper Anna Caster did all she could, stopping 11 of 13 shots as Millikin dominated the offensive. Millikin’s Melis Barutcu and Grace Pelz would get past Caster as the Big Blue totaled thirty shot attempts.

The second half brought two shots for the Scots.

Sophomore Danielle Beach got a prime scoring chance in traffic. Taking a shot, she hit the outside of the goal post.

The Scots went on to lose 0-2 as Millikin tallied thirty shots to Monmouth’s two.

“It's a very mental game,” Caster said. “I think people underestimate the mental value in soccer, and I think that it's important, especially as a captain, to make sure that people are making that mental switch and being like, okay, let's reset ourselves.”

Saturday's game against Rockford University told a better story.

In the first half, Beach received a beautiful ball from freshman Taylor Freeman for a tap in goal to net her second of the season. Freshman Nylea Cruz then pounced on a loose ball not once, but twice, to add an unassisted insurance goal, making the score 2-0, and gathered her first career goal with the Scots.

Sophomore Mariah Hobson joined the scoring bonanza, finding a breakout pass from freshman Jaden Stockton for a breakaway. Her off-balance shot sailed into the top right of the net, extending the score to 3-0. Hobson joined Cruz in tallying her first career goal.

“Our connections in the midfield this year are fantastic, and we have a lot of patience.” Caster said. “Even the freshmen who are getting a lot of playing time, they are very patient with the ball and they're eager to learn and they're growing fast.”

Sophomore Allison Griffin found the back of the net for the Scots for the second time this season. Assisted by Cruz, Griffin’s shot deflected off the opposition goalkeeper’s fingertips and rolled in for a 4-0 lead.

Rockford would get one goal back in the final minutes resulting in a 4-1 victory for the Scots.

In the last eight matchups with Rockford University, the Scots are undefeated and have scored forty-six goals while only giving up two.

The Scots currently sit at 1-1-1. The team heads to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to play against Coe College on Saturday September 14.