By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Fort Wayne, IN---Three players scored two goals apiece as the Express women's soccer team defeated Indiana Tech University's JV team 9-2 today.
Jessica Grindle scored two of the team's first three goals to lead the early charge. The sophomore's first goal came 4:47 into the game on an assist from Jill Burkholder. Kendyl Christian made it 2-0 with a goal at the 7:23 mark on a cross from Abby Groll.
Grindle added her second goal at the 13:17 point on an assist from Elizabeth Theaker.
After an 18-minute goal hiatus, Lacee Ortman scored her first collegiate goal 31:26 into the game on another assist from Burkholder. Amber Burnette added to that with her first collegiate goal, unassisted, at the 40:35 mark.
Following that, Brittany Powell added her second goal of the season 23 seconds later to put the Express up 6-0 at halftime.
Indiana Tech ended the shutout two and a half minutes into the second half before the Express rattled off three straight goals by Burkholder (56:01, unassisted), Powell (71:39) and Ortman (78:08). Joanna Dudzik picked up her first college points with an assist on each of the final two Express goals.
Tara Preble assisted on the late first half goal by Powell. It was her second of the season.
Indiana Tech scored their second goal with just under a minute left to provide the final margin.
Erika Brinkman started in goal and went the distance for the Express. She made three saves while allowing the two goals.
Notes
Ortman now has two goals and one assist this year...Grindle increased her team-high goal total to seven. She also has two assists this year...Groll's assist was her second of the season...Christian's goal was her third of the season...Theaker's assist was her first of the season...Burkholder, who missed the team's last game against Mercyhurst North East, now has four goals and two assists in her sophomore year...Powell now has three goals and one assist this year. She scored her first goal since the season-opening win over Lake Michigan College.
The Express (4-2 overall) will host Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (3-1) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. It will be a critical matchup in terms of the Region XII standings as Cincinnati State is 2-1 in the region, while the Express are 2-2 in the region.