MATT HAMPTON | Sports Editor
The Lindenwood women’s soccer team found its first win of the season Friday night by shutting out Drury University 4-0 in Hunter Stadium.
Both teams went in to the match with a 0-1-1 record, but Lindenwood outshot the Panthers 21-4 to pick up a solid victory.
The Lions got off to a flying start less than seven minutes in, when forward Morgan Weller scored the first goal.
With an early lead, Lindenwood kept the pressure on Drury, but the first half did not see another goal scored. In the 21st minute, junior Sammi Gregory fought through the Panthers’ defense and delivered a shot, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Sarah Franks. Gregory and defender Ava Burke each tallied three shots in the contest.
Lindenwood held Drury to only two shots in the first half, neither of which were on goal.
Light rain started falling during the break, and Drury’s bad luck continued when goalkeeper Sarah Franks was sent off after using her hand outside of the box to stop an attack by Gregory.
Lindenwood continued its attack on the Panthers in the second half, and within 15 minutes, Weller used an assist from midfielder Bailey Bologna to score Lindenwood’s second goal of the game, and her third this season.
Weller, a sophomore, took another shot a few minutes later, but it hit the crossbar. In total, she lead the Lions with five shots in the match, four of which were on goal.
As the rain continued, Weller assisted forward Katie Richter, whose goal brought the Lions’ lead to 3-0.
With an assist from freshman Maggie Miller, forward Emily Schneider scored her first career goal and Lindenwood’s last goal of the night.
After their victory this weekend, Lindenwood will play another home game against Missouri University of Science and Technology at 11 a.m. Sunday.
