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Box Score 2 MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Belmont women's soccer team (4-2) picked up its third shutout of the season on the road Friday night. The Bruins knocked off Alabama State (1-5), 3-0, to improve to 4-2 on the season.
The Bruins opened the first half aggressively, penetrating the Alabama Stat half of the field from the opening whistle. Just three minutes in, junior Katie Proud (Knoxville, Tenn.) netted the first goal of the night, her third of the year, taking on the Lady Hornet goalkeeper one on one up the middle of the box after receiving a pass from sophomore Rachel Schmidt (Dallas, Texas). Ignited by the goal, BU turned up the intensity another notch, trapping the ball deep in ASU territory. Barely five minutes later, Belmont was able to find the back of the net again, this time courtesy of senior Laura Harris (Macon, Ga.) who was lodged in heavy traffic just in front of the goal after taking a pass from classmate Lauren Paynter (Danville, Ky.).
With a comfortable two goal lead, BU settled into its normal pace of ball control and heavy time of possession. Fresh legs began to emerge from the bench to keep the momentum flowing in Belmont's favor. Alabama State made its strongest effort of the half around the 30-minute mark but the attempt by Lenna Lamas flew over the Bruin crossbar. BU, who dominated in shots 11-4 in the half, was then able to play aggressive keep away for the waning minutes to carry its 2-0 advantage into the break.
Alabama State opened the second stanza attempting to match the intensity of Belmont's from the first half, even notching a pair of early shots. However, the Bruins were able to maintain their defensive strangle hold on the contest.
The clock ticked toward the final 20 minutes of regulation and Schmidt fired off a pair of shots that barely missed finding the back of the net. Finally, she used a rebounded ball from senior Spencer Laufer (Houston, Texas) to score Belmont's third of the night and her first of the season in the 72nd minute. The Bruins were able to easily hold onto their lead to cruise to the 3-0 victory.
The Bruins held the advantage in shots, 18-8, but the teams each sported two corner kicks. BU put the Lady Hornets goalkeeper to work, helping her to wrap the night with 11 saves to just two for Belmont.
Schmidt and freshman Cassie Blase (Waukesha, Wisc.) led the Bruins with four shots apiece. Katie Proud finished with three shots while sophomore Kim Elmore (Salem, Va.) and Laufer each added two.
Junior Nicole Berner (Randolph, N.J.) did the lion's share of duty between the posts, picking up one save before freshman Lindsay Espe (LaCanada, Calif.) notched the first of her career late in the second half.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday on the road at in-state rival Middle Tennessee State. Match time is slated for 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available.
