NEED TO KNOW
Score: Life U 5, Thomas 0
Record: Life 5-0-1, 3-0 SSAC
THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Life University women's soccer team remained unbeaten and perfect in Southern States Athletic Conference play Thursday afternoon, earning a 5-0 victory over Thomas at the TU Soccer Complex. The win improved the Running Eagles to 5-0-1 overall and 3-0 in SSAC competition.
Life U wasted little time finding the breakthrough. In the 10th minute, Linn Joelsson opened the scoring with a well-struck finish from outside the box, giving the Running Eagles an early 1-0 advantage. Life continued to control the match and doubled its lead in the 36th minute when Odalis Tapia made it 2-0 heading into halftime.
The Running Eagles continued to apply pressure after the break, adding two goals in less than a minute. Djenna Zahoual found the back of the net in the 55th minute off an assist from Joelsson before Victoria Valles scored just moments later, with Zahoual providing the assist. The back-to-back goals pushed Life U's advantage to 4-0.
Life continued to create chances throughout the second half before Caroline White capped the scoring in the 89th minute, finishing a chance set up by Madelief Lowik for her second goal of the season.
Defensively, the Running Eagles posted their fourth shutout of the season. Elora Niederpruem played all 90 minutes in goal and made five saves as Life U held Thomas scoreless.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-- Life U outshot Thomas 22-8 and held a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal.
-- The Running Eagles held a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.
-- Life U scored twice in the first half and three times after halftime.
-- Linn Joelsson recorded a goal and an assist.
-- Djenna Zahoual recorded a goal and an assist.
-- Elora Niederpruem made five saves to secure the shutout.
TURNING POINT:
-- Joelsson's goal from outside the box in the 10th minute gave Life U an early lead and set the tone for the Running Eagles' offensive attack.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
-- Linn Joelsson scored the opening goal and assisted on Zahoual's second-half goal.
-- Djenna Zahoual scored once and assisted on Valles' goal.
-- Victoria Valles added a goal in the 56th minute.
-- Caroline White scored her second goal of the season in the 89th minute.
-- Elora Niederpruem made five saves while recording the shutout.
