MONMOUTH, Ill. — The Lawrence University women's soccer team scored twice in each half Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Monmouth College at Peacock Memorial Athletic Park.
The Vikings wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. In the seventh minute, Izzy Robertson played the ball to Ava Elders, who finished the chance to give Lawrence an early 1-0 lead. The goal was Elders' third of the season.
Lawrence continued to apply pressure throughout the opening half, with Hannah Kalt forcing a save in the 11th minute. Elders added another shot shortly after, while Bee Brockhert kept Monmouth off the scoreboard with a pair of early saves.
The Vikings doubled their advantage in the 19th minute. Kalt found the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season, giving Lawrence a 2-0 lead.
Lawrence continued to generate chances throughout the remainder of the opening period. Isabelle Cromheecke and Maddie Schellinger each recorded shots, while Madyson Clifton forced another save from Monmouth goalkeeper Izzy Seipold late in the half.
The Vikings carried their 2-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting the Fighting Scots 7-4 during the opening 45 minutes.
Lawrence added to its lead early in the second half.
In the 48th minute, Kylie Grimes scored her first goal of the season, with Ava Elders providing the assist. Grimes' finish pushed the Lawrence advantage to 3-0.
Just over 11 minutes later, the Vikings found the net again. Elders once again played a role in the scoring, setting up Elena Hartung for her second goal of the season in the 59th minute. Hartung's finish gave Lawrence a 4-0 lead.
With the Vikings firmly in control, Lawrence continued to create opportunities throughout the second half. Clifton, Dani Neil, Cromheecke, Caroline Cody and Kylie Melonis all recorded shots as the Vikings continued to pressure the Monmouth defense.
The Lawrence defense also kept the Fighting Scots off the scoreboard. Bee Brockhert made three saves during her 57:18 in goal before giving way to Miriam Gollnick. Gollnick added three saves over the final 32:42 to help preserve the shutout.
Monmouth continued to look for an offensive breakthrough late in the match, but Lawrence's defense held firm. Gollnick made saves on Morgan Kistler, Ali Barnum and Lily Palazzolo during the second half, while the Vikings continued to generate chances at the other end of the field.
Lawrence earned five corner kicks during the final six minutes as the Vikings maintained possession and pressure through the final whistle.
The Vikings finished with a 15-8 advantage in shots, including a 10-6 edge in shots on target. Lawrence also held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks and controlled 56 percent of possession.
Elders finished with one goal and two assists, while Kalt, Grimes and Hartung each found the back of the net. Robertson added an assist, and Brockhert and Gollnick combined for six saves in the shutout.
