AVE MARIA, Fla. – Sophomore midfielder
Adrianna Garcia netted a goal and an assist, freshman goaltenders
Lauren Fernandez and
Morgan Crescent converged for a defensive shutout, and the Eckerd College women's soccer team downed Ave Maria University, 2-0, on the road Wednesday night.
Junior Allison Dean also found the net for her first goal of the season and freshman Mia Whylly was credited with an assist.
The Tritons (2-1, 0-0 SSC) beat their second NAIA-affiliated opponent of the year, besting Florida Memorial University the weekend prior.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Danielle Fotopoulous, Eckerd also recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since the 2008 campaign when the Tritons beat Georgia Southwestern (Aug. 29) and Converse College (Aug. 30) consecutively.
The Gyrenes (1-2, 0-0 TSC), led by Beth Greve's two shots on goal, dropped their second match of the year.
Eckerd's offense converted chances in each period as Garcia put home the game's first score at the 27:15 mark off a helper from Whylly.
After halftime, the Tritons added an insurance score after Dean made one of Eckerd's five corner kick opportunities pay off. Dean's first goal also represented her first shot of the year in the 52nd minute.
From there, the Eckerd defense stood tall and thwarted any chance of an Ave Maria comeback as the Tritons held an 18-8 advantage in the shot department.
Fernandez played the first half to receive credit for her first collegiate win before being relieved by Crescent out of the intermission. Each keeper was credited with a pair of saves in their 45-minute stints.
Gyrenes' netminder Jackie Gonzalez, stopped eight Eckerd shots while playing a complete game.
The Tritons will look to collect their third straight win this weekend in Memphis, Tenn., with two games scheduled in the Volunteer State. On Friday evening, Eckerd will square off against the University of North Alabama (5 p.m.) before taking on Christian Brothers University on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
