09/17/06

That first goal in pee-wee soccer is probably still rolling across the goal line as you recall the smell of the grass, the oversized shorts that were always too big for five-year-olds, the teammates – and mom or dad, one of whom was probably the coach – crushing you in the team hug that followed every goal.

Still, yours was special and you won’t forget it.

Today, though with a little more perspective on life, and more composure than when you were five, that first goal will be just as memorable.

And again, there’s probably a juice box waiting for you after the game from your parents or coach.

Four freshmen scored their first collegiate goals today for St. Scholastica as the Saints pounded out a 7-0 victory over an overmatched Presentation College squad at Public Schools Stadium in Duluth.

Freshman Angie Groh was the first to go with a goal off a pass from sophomore Kristen Stangel in the 10^th minute of action that would end up being the game-winning goal in the stat book.

Katrina VanHout was next, scoring an unassisted goal 25 minutes after Groh’s to put the home team Saints up 2-0.

Six minutes later Rebecca Bowerman netted her first with an assist from yet another freshman, Jen Krokum.

By halftime, St. Scholastica had built a 3-0 lead on 13 shots on goal while holding the visiting Saints from Presentation without a single shot.

In fact, St. Scholastica dominated play so strongly that the ball did not cross midfield into the home team’s defensive end until nine minutes were left in the opening half.

As the second half opened, the barrage continued but a few returning players wouldn’t let the freshmen have all the fun.

Sophomore Robin Johnson scored her third goal of the season six minutes into the second half when she headed a cross from senior Keely Raab’s corner kick into the right corner, and then less than eight minutes later, sophomore Kristen Stangel scored an unassisted goal, her first goal of the season, to up the Saints lead to five.

Head coach Dave Reyelts began to substitute again at that point, and in less than two minutes after coming back on the field, VanHout picked up her second goal on a high ball from 30 yards out that she kicked over the keeper and just under the crossbar.

The day’s scoring ended with Krokum’s goal in the 77^th minute, staking the Saints to a 7-0 lead.

In all, the Saints put 32 shots on Presentation goalkeeper Michelle Fliehs who played a solid game nonetheless and registered 25 saves.

St. Scholastica goalkeeper Kelly Vilen, still another freshman Reyelts was able to get playing time for, grabbed the win and shutout without facing a shot.

“Kelly’s a very talented keeper,” said Reyelts. “I wanted to see her face some shots, and knew she’d be fine, but our offense just controlled things so well.”

St. Scholastica (4-1-1 overall, 2-0-0 UMAC) swept both games of their weekend without surrendering a goal.

Presentation fell to 0-4-0 overall and 0-2-0 after a conference losses on both Saturday and Sunday.