PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Lady Tiger soccer dominated Shawnee State University 3-0 late today to improve to 9-0 overall and 3-0 in the Mid-South Conference.
Shawnee State drops to 4-3-1 and 0-2 in the MSC.
Campbellsville got on the scoreboard early in the match as Mhairi Fyfe found the back of the net on a pass from fellow junior Devon Burnside in the 11th minute. It was Burnside's team-leading fifth assist this season, the second most in the MSC.
The goal for Fyfe was her 12th of the season and 50th of her career. She leads the MSC in scoring and is ranked fourth in the nation. Fyfe is only three goals away from tying Jessica Ralph's mark of 53 set during her play during 2010-2013. Also, Fyfe is halfway to her single-season goal record which she set in 2014 at 24.
Campbellsville took the 1-0 lead into halftime but had multiple opportunities late in the first half that they could not capitalize on. Rachel Veatch, Fyfe and Burnside each had two more shots apiece and Aris Kuntz and Kathryn Thomas had shots but were saved by Shawnee State goalkeeper Michaela Garner. Garner was able to finish with 10 saves.
The Lady Tigers' defense held the Bears without a shot in the first half. Campbellsville and goalkeeper Amanda Howard have recorded seven shutouts and have only allowed three goals this season. CU has outscored its opponents 37-3 in the first nine games of 2015.
"We really struggled in the first half with finishing because their goalkeeper made some really nice saves," said CU coach Thom Jones. "We really missed Chelsea Gill today in the middle and we had a hard time clicking without her precence. The second half we started working better together but still left some goals out on the field."
Gill missed her first game in over two years because of the death of a family friend in her hometown of Danville, Ky.
Shawnee State, without a shot in the first half, was the first to attack in the second. Jenny Campbell's shot attempt was saved by Howard and that was the last shot Shawnee would have until Veatch gave the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Veatch, who is the reigning Mid-South Conference Player of the Week after recording a hat trick and an assist against St. Catharine last week, beat her defender to the left and played a beauty to the back post for her seventh goal of the season.
Veatch now sits right behind Fyfe for the second spot in the Mid-South Conference with seven goals. Also, Gill is tied for fourth in the MSC in goals scored with five to put three Lady Tigers in the Top 4 rankings inside the conference.
"When Mhairi (Fyfe) holds the ball and people are triple teaming her that will leave someone open," said Jones. "We try to use Rachel's (Veatch) speed to get behind the defense which then will open up the attack. We have some great forwards that really compliment each other well and with Mhairi really getting attention from opponents, that opens up opportunities for others."
Carson Cline poured it on late in the 87th minute with her second goal of the season. She rebounded a hard shot by Burnside and went upper-90 on an open net. It was Burnsides second assist.
Campbellsville outshot Shawnee State 19-5 and had 13 shots on goal. The Lady Tigers' 9-0 start is the best in program history with the previous record being 3-0 last season.
CU will return home on Thursday, Sept. 24 to host Faulkner (Ala.) in a non-conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium and Citizens Bank Field. Fans can follow the match live on the CU Sports Network – HERE.
