10/08/06

Sunday afternoon's 2-0 win at Minnesota-Morris inched the Saints closer to the regular season UMAC title, and the right to host the post-season UMAC tournament.

With the season sweep of Morris, the Saints (12-1-1, 9-0-0 UMAC) now own a two-game lead over the Cougars and a three game lead on third place Crown College.

Of the remaining conference games on the schedule, the Saints have beaten all five by a combined score of 24 to one. The only team to have scored on the Saints in conference play, Northwestern College, will travel to Duluth for an October 20th late-afternoon game.

On Sunday afternoon at Morris, sophomore Robin Johnson would score what would prove to the game-winner in the 38th minute. Senior Krista Parrent sent in a perfect cross from the right side that Johnson tapped into the goal to open the scoring and give the Saints a 1-0 lead.

The Saints outshot Morris 12 to four in the opening half but only six were on frame, including Johnson's goal.

Morris had the advantage in scoring opportunities in the second half as Saints keeper Kelly Momsen was forced to make six of her eight total saves in the half.

It was a strange play in the 69th minute that gave the Saints a bit more breathing room and a two goal lead.

Driving toward the goal down the center of the field, freshman Angie Groh was roughly bodied off the ball just outside the top edge of the penalty box. With the foul called and a free kick awarded to the Saints, Morris mistakenly thought a penalty kick had been awarded and their keeper came out to argue that the foul was outside the box.

Though correct, she couldn't retreat in time as the Saints' Kristy Shelerud teed the ball up and easily chipped it over the horrified goalie for an insurance goal.

Recording her sixth shut out win of the season for the Saints, the win improves Momsen's season record in goal to 9-1-1, improves her saves percentage to .925 and drops her goals against average to 0.43 per game.

Johnson's goal propels the sophomore into 10th place on the career points list. In less than two seasons, the attacking midfielder has 24 goals and 16 assists for a career total of 64 points.