UNOH Blanks Cleary 5-0 in Weather-Shortened Match

HOWELL, MI - UNOH women's soccer scored five goals in the first half against Cleary but inclement weather in the second forced an early conclusion to the match giving the Racers their fourth straight shutout, 5-0.

UNOH put nine of 14 first half shots on target with more than half of those finding the back of the net. Celia Catalan Keck was the star of the show for the Racers assisting on four of the five goals. Her first came early in the 16th minute on a perfectly placed corner kick that found the head of Judy McIntosh who timed her jump perfectly putting the ball over the keeper for a 1-0 lead. Keck didn't get an official assist on the second goal of the day but she created the opportunity with a perfect cross from the right side in the 19th minute. Ella Beaton-Hill took on the goal with a half volley from the top of the box but the keeper got a slight touch to push the ball off the cross bar. Mathilda Berg Karlsson was more aware than her mark and jumped on the rebound first striking it first time off the hop and putting into the net.

Goal three came off a long free kick that was taken by Keck in the 28th minute. She sent the ball into a crowded box and it somehow found it's way through without a touch to Keira Ferns on the back post who toed it into the top of the net. A quick attack in the 39th minute set up another opportunity for the Racers. Vivian Purmonen changed directions in front of a defender and played the ball to Keck in space. Keck took one touch and thing sent the ball back to Purmonen who had cut in behind the back line. Purmonen took heavy contact from behind but still had enough to hit the ball past the keeper on the near post and put UNOH up 4-0. The final goal of the half and eventually game came just seconds before the break with the build up coming off another corner kick. The initial kick was cleared out by the Cougars but Jenny Grossen chased down the ball and laid it up again for Keck. Showing off her vision, Keck crossed the ball back into the box on her first touch finding Ella Beaton-Hill all alone on the far post who headed right past the keeper for the final 5-0 lead.

Just minutes into the second half, lightning was detected in the area forcing a lengthy delay. Once the game resumed, the teams were able to play into the 70th minute before radar indicated lighting again. With the game past the official mark, the two teams decided to call off the final 20 minutes ending the game officially in the 71st minute of play and UNOH leading 5-0.

Sophia Eisner (6-1-0) earned her fourth straight clean sheet and fifth of the season making a save on the only shot of the game for Cleary.

UNOH returns home for two matches that will include defending WHAC Champion No. 11 Aquinas on Saturday, September 27 followed by Defiance one week from today.