Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Belmont University women's soccer team collected its second consecutive shutout win of the season, defeating Eastern Illinois 3-0 on Friday at Rose Park.
Freshman Anna Sweeney led the way with three points, scoring her first career goal and registering her first career assist. Belmont outshot Eastern Illinois 21-8, marking the first time since Sept. 29, 2019 where the Bruins registered at least 20 shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Doyle recorded her second career shutout victory, snagging three saves in the process.
"The ladies knew how important today's game was to earn three points (in the Ohio Valley Conference standings)," head coach Heather Henson said. "They showed their belief in each other and had the determination to score goals. They are continuing to improve daily and it is exciting to see."
Firing seven shots in the first 20 minutes, Belmont struck first in the 22nd minute. Thanks to an assist from sophomore midfielder Avery Nowak, junior forward Erin Patterson scored the game's first goal to put the Bruins in front 1-0. Patterson's goal is her first goal at Belmont, with her last goal coming on Sept. 7, 2018 at Jacksonville State when she was a member of the Samford women's soccer team.
Earning a corner kick opportunity 15 minutes later, the Bruins capitalized to double their lead. Sweeney put the ball in the air that allowed junior defender Rachel Vernon to knock it in with a header, with her fifth career goal giving the Bruins a two-goal lead.
"The team has been working on corners after training every day and preparing for a moment like this," Vernon said. "That helped us prepare and capitalize on that opportunity in the first half."
Going into the locker room up 2-0, the Bruins' defense kept its momentum. Eastern Illinois fired two shots in the first five minutes of the second half, but Belmont forced the first shot out left and Doyle snagged the save to keep EIU from chipping away at the deficit.
EIU would only fire three more shot opportunities, none coming in the final 20 minutes of play. Forcing its second consecutive shutout victory, Belmont has had 181 consecutive scoreless minutes.
"Our communication has been positive and instructional in supporting our midfield and forwards," Vernon said. "We are linking well and allowing for more opportunities on the goal. Our defense has been solid this year."
Sweeney capped off the victory by notching her first career goal in the 89th minute, coming off freshman Natalie Haverland's first career assist. Sweeney's three-point performance marks the first time a Belmont player collected at least three points in a match since teammate Julie Garst on November 3, 2019 at UT Martin.
"It was a crazy experience when I first shot it," Sweeney said. "I thought it was going to come right back out and not go out. My coaches kept telling me '(Your goal) is coming.' Just having that mindset really helped. I couldn't have done it without Natalie...She played the perfect ball so I couldn't have done it without her."
Belmont (3-3) returns to Rose Park on Tuesday to face Austin Peay at 6:30 p.m.
