WOMEN’S SOCCER

The HU women’s soccer team (1-2) logged their first shutout of the season in convincing fashion with an 8-0 win over IU South Bend (0-4) Wednesday afternoon at King Stadium. The W is the program’s largest margin of victory since September of 2017 when the Foresters topped Bluffton by the same score.

The hosts, who beat IUSB 6-0 last year, sent a clear message within the first two minutes that they were taking control when Katie Hooley found back netting for a quick lead. She was at it again five minutes later for her second goal of the match to up the lead to 2-0. The rookie forward was one of five freshmen to score in the first half to catapult Huntington in front 7-0.

Paige Weiss took her turn next at the 13:41 mark for the second goal of her young career after which Ella Theard and Hannah Johnson each found the back of the net for the first time in Forester green. Janae Good then put the finishing touches on the frame by striking for a pair of goals to send Lewis’ squad into intermission with a hefty advantage.

The Foresters were content to spend the final 45 minutes possessing the ball in the middle of the park except when Kalaina Stephens, after dribbling through multiple defenders, fired a shot upper 90 far post 12 minutes into the second half to make for the 8-0 final. For the junior defender it was her first collegiate score.

When all was said and done, HU went off for 38 shots, 25 on frame, while limiting the Titans to a mere two shots.

“We wanted to begin today’s match stronger than we did in our first two games and they played good soccer and got the result,” said Coach David Lewis. “Seven of our goals were scored by freshmen which is encouraging. We hope to build on this momentum.”

Next up for Lewis and crew is another home match on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against St. Francis (Ill.).