Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist University women's soccer team defeated Avila University by a final of 4-1 on Tuesday evening at Davis Field, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference match-up.
With the victory, the CMU Eagles improve to 8-0 on the season, and 2-0 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. With the loss, the Avila Eagles fall to 2-4-1 overall, and 0-1 in The Heart.
"We played a great second half," said CMU head women's soccer coach Dan Schmidlin. "I am proud of the girls for the win and the good team effort tonight."
Tuesday's match got off to a slow start for both squads. CMU would settle in during the 29th minute, when reigning conference offensive player of the week Judith Sainz (FR/Pamplona, Spain), found Nicki Noreen (SR/Bartlett, Ill.) for her first of three goals on the night. Noreen has now recorded multiple hat-tricks in this 2016 season. Noreen's goal would be the lone score for CMU in the first half of play, as they took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, Nicki Noreen was able to find the back of the net in the 50th and 63rd minutes, to put CMU up 3-0.
Avila's Paige Gerkin connected on a goal in the 71st minute to put Avila on the board at 3-1, thanks to a pass from Sydney James. The goal ended the most recent shutout streak for freshman and reigning conference defensive player of the week Ashlynn Freeman (FR/Moberly, Mo.). Freeman was just a few minutes shy of 360, on her most recent shutout streak. The goal, is just the third one allowed this season by the freshman keeper. Freeman ended the game with six saves.
Nicki Noreen would also add an assist to her stat line Tuesday, making a pass to Sarah Freiermuth (FR/Blue Springs, Mo.) in the 82nd minute to seal the victory for CMU at 4-1.
CMU will now hit the road for their next four matches, beginning this Saturday at Missouri Valley College in Marshall. Game time is set for 6pm.
For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cmathletics and on Twitter twitter.com/cmueagles.
