CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The Stephens College soccer team secured its first win of the season with a commanding 4-0 victory over Blackburn College on Friday evening at Blackburn Stadium. The Stars controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting Blackburn 28-0 and keeping the Beavers from registering a single shot on goal.
Stephens (1-3-2) opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Wynne Martins found the back of the net off a setup from Carsyn Osborn, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Charlie Keefe doubled the advantage with a solo effort, dribbling through the middle and firing into the right side of the goal to send Stephens into halftime up 2-0.
The Stars didn't let up in the second half, as Kylee Kratzer netted her first goal of the match in the 57th minute. Kratzer would go on to complete a brace with another tally in the 79th minute, assisted by Marieli Perez, sealing the 4-0 victory.
Sofia Ramos earned the shutout for Stephens, though she was largely untested due to the Stars' suffocating defense, which did not allow Blackburn (0-4-0) any clear chances. Blackburn's goalkeeper made 17 saves in a valiant effort to keep the scoreline from growing larger.
Stephens will look to build on this momentum when they return home for their next match on Saturday, Sept. 21, against Greenville University at 1 p.m.
