Crusaders Remain Perfect in October and in Conference Play
IRVING, Texas- The University of Dallas women's soccer team remain unbeaten in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) play, winning its fourth match in a row via a 2-0 result over Johnson & Wales University-Denver on Friday night. It is also the Crusaders (7-4-1, 4-0 SCAC) fourth shutout in a row, as they matched their longest winning streak since 2014.
It is also the team's best start to conference play and is still tied with Trinity University at the top of the standings.
Alyssa Mencacci (League City, Texas) put the go-ahead goal in at the 32:18 minute mark to extend her team-leading seventh on the season. She had an initial shot hit off the post but was there to put the rebound in goal. It was her second on the home stand and third out of four matches in October. Four of Mencacci's goals have counted as game-winners.
Dallas was actually outshot 6-5 in the first half but would grab the offensive advantage in the second stanza with 11 shots compared to just three by the Wildcats (3-11, 1-4 SCAC). JWU only placed two shots on goal, and UD's Olivia Severson (La Crosse, Wis.) saved both.
Severson improved her shutout streak to four and has now garnered six on the campaign. She has played all 365:17 minutes the Dallas defense has gone since allowing a goal.
Elisa Duran (Pomona, Calif.) helped seal the triumph with her second goal of the season early in the 68th minute. The senior connected after Bridgette Alpar (San Antonio, Texas) passed it in for her first collegiate point with the assist.
The Crusaders totaled nine of their 16 shots on target with a trio of players kicking two apiece. This group included: Monica O'Donnell (Lincoln, Neb.), Gigi Garcia Orozco (San Antonio, Texas), and Duran.
The Wildcats were led by Rebecca Brock with three shots and Samantha Roybal added two with one on goal. JWU did hold a 5-3 edge on corner kicks. Katelyn Peters was saddled with the loss after making seven saves in 90 minutes.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Mencacci scored in 33' to put #UDCrusaders up 1-0 vs. JWU!#WeAreUD #SCACwsoc #d3soc #UDallas pic.twitter.com/XkK6gv0a1g
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) October 18, 2019
UP NEXT
Dallas takes a break from conference to host Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The match is part of a five-game home stretch and will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Crusaders are 4-0 all-time against the Lions.