Baton Rouge, La. - The Centenary women's soccer team was blanked 5-0 by the Southern University Lady Jaguars in its season opener on Friday evening at Jaguar Park.
The Ladies (0-1) fell behind 3-0 at the half and then Southern (2-2) added a pair of second-half goals to finish off the shutout in the first all-time meeting between the teams.
The five goals allowed was highly uncharacteristic for the Maroon and White as it marked the first time a Centenary team has allowed five goals since a 5-0 loss at Texas Lutheran on Sept. 23, 2018. The Ladies however were challenging themselves against a division I opponent on its home field and against a Southern team which had already played three regular season matches and an exhibition prior to Friday.
Southern finished with an 18-9 advantage in shots including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Freshman F Madeline Milton (Haughton, La.) led the Ladies with three shots, two of which were on goal. Senior Avery Sanderson (McKinney, Texas) and freshman Madison Ersoff (Shreveport) split goalkeeper duties as Sanderson played the first half and the rookie Ersoff handled the second-half duties. Sanderson allowed three goals and recorded a save while Ersoff allowed a pair of goals and made two saves. The Lady Jags played three keepers on the night and were led by Sydney Bellamy's three saves in 39:24 of work.
Senior MF Gabby McDonald (Pasadena, Texas) and junior F Sydney Bascomb (Mesquite, Texas) each took two shots with McDonald's both coming on goal. Five different Lady Jags scored goals, as Kaitlyn Hale, Giftee Tor, Victoria Thomas, Krystal Elie, and Brekel Tibbs each found the net. Tor added an assist and Alayla Jackson and Surya Nero each recorded an assist.
The Ladies will rest up for two days and return home to the friendly confines of Mayo Field to face the East Texas Baptist University Tigers on Monday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. The Maroon and White are 13-4 at Mayo Field over the last two seasons and went 5-3 at home last season.
See the complete women's soccer season schedule here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/wsoc/2021-22/schedule
Admission is FREE to all Centenary home athletic contests but be advised of current COVID-19 protocols for fans. Updated COVID-19 information will be available in the coming days via www.GoCentenary.com. Live stats and live video stream are available for all Centenary home contests.
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