The Lions extended their perfect season in their first three home games versus Eastern University, Ursinus College and the University of Mary Washington.
Last Tuesday, the Lions dominated their home opener, winning 19-1 over Eastern. Senior forward Karen Doane scored early and often for the Lions, netting half of the first six goals. Doane tallied six goals total during the game.
The Eagles were shut down offensively for almost the entire game, netting their lone goal early in the first half on a free-position shot. In the first half alone, the Lions outshot the Eagles 24-3.
"Our offense can read each other very well," head coach Sharon Pfluger said. "They work very hard for each other."
With a 10-1 advantage going into the second half, the Lions displayed their talent and teamwork with eight different players scoring the last eight goals of the game for the team's first home win.
"Playing at home is always a lot of fun," senior goalkeeper Caitlin Gregory said. "It really pumps the team up when friends, along with even more family, come and cheer us on."
The team's winning momentum carried it to another victory on Thursday as the Lions shut out the Bears of Ursinus, 15-0.
Freshman Allison Jaeger opened up the scoring for the Lions, netting her first goal less than a minute into the competition. Back at midfield, Doane gained control and scored 10 seconds later. After scoring again only 24 seconds later, Doane put the Lions ahead 3-0 within the first 1:32 of the game.
The Lions tacked on seven more goals in the first half and added five more in the second. Junior defenders Kelly Mitchell and Tara Klein, along with senior defender Christine Cavallo, played exceptional defense, limiting the Bears to six shots.
Gregory earned the shutout for the Lions with three saves.
The Lions pushed their winning streak to six games with a win over University of Mary Washington.
The Eagles entered the contest scoring an average of 15.3 goals per game, but the Lions' nationally ranked defense entered the game allowing 3.6 goals a game.
The scoring started early for the Lions as they netted the first five goals of the game. The Eagles put up their first point when senior forward Caitlin Erickson, the nation's leading scorer, snuck a goal past Gregory with 16:53 remaining in the half. The point broke the College's streak of 126:31 without an opposing goal.
The Eagles' goal did not discourage the Lions from scoring six more goals before halftime, including a free-position shot by Klein with no time left on the clock.
In the second half, the Lions' defense continued to control the game, allowing the Eagles one goal in the final 30 minutes. The Lions took home a commanding 18-4 victory.
Gregory tallied another three saves for the game.
Jaeger was the leading scorer, putting away four goals and one assist. Doane's three goals moved her into 10th place on the Lions' all-time goal list (154 goals).
This week Doane was named to the Tewaaraton Award Foundation watch list. In addition, Gregory was recently honored by the Eastern College Athletic Conference as their goalkeeper of the week.
"Both Karen and Caitlin are outstanding in their positions and they are both total team players," Pfluger said. "Nothing matters more to them than the success of the team."
The Lions will return home on Friday for a 5 p.m. start against Gettysburg College.
