CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The Lady Tiger soccer team made a statement on Homecoming night against Shawnee State University, beating the Bears in a shutout, 5-0. Junior forward Jessica Ralph scored the first three goals, giving her a hat trick on the evening, while junior midfielder Toria Alsip scored two of her own. 

"It was a great win tonight," said head coach Thom Jones. "We really needed it. We have been struggling scoring all season and to come here and get five goals and a shut-out put us in the right direction, especially towards post season."

Shawnee had three shots in the first 45 minutes, two on goal. Junior goalkeeper Brandie Hagerman had both saves, leaving the Bears scoreless.  

Ralph was relentless, with a total of eight shots in the first half. After five missed wide and two were on goal, her persistence finally paid off. Only 46 seconds remained on the clock when the forward unleashed a kick 25 yards out that passed over the hands of Bear keeper Emily Kuehn. The only other Lady Tiger shot came from Alsip, but was saved by Kuehn. The Lady Tigers ran into the locker room with the 1-0 lead. 

The second half began on the same note that the first ended. Within the first two minutes, freshman forward Taylor Wingfield crossed the ball to sophomore midfielder Alex Shaffer six yards out of the Bears' goal. Shaffer fired the ball in the left corner, but Kuehn dove, pushing the ball parallel to the goal line. Ralph finished it off, though, with her second of the night. 

Twelve minutes into the half, a foul in the box granted Ralph a penalty kick. The forward shot one to the right of Kuehn, but a dive deflected it back to the five yard line. Ralph followed the ball with determination, scoring a hat trick for the night.

Ralph wasn't the the only hot foot of the night. With 19 minutes left in the game, Shaffer found open midfielder Toria Alsip, who lobbed the ball over the head of Bear goalkeeper Shelbi Halverson twenty yards out. Only four minutes later the junior found the back of the net again, placing the ball to the left of Halverson and advancing the Lady Tigers to a 5-0 lead, which would eventually finalize the game.

CU ended the night with twelve shots on goal, while Shawnee had six. Shaffer's assists were the first of her career. Hagerman totaled six saves.

Senior midfielder Emily Shultz was named Homecoming Queen only hours before during the CU vs. Lindsey Wilson College football game. 

The next CU women's game will be held at home on Tuesday, Oct.16 against Bluefield college. Start time is 6 pm. To follow the Lady Tigers, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.