Columbia, MO. – The Stephens College soccer team earned its first win of the season in dominant fashion on Saturday evening, blanking Blackburn College 9-0. The Stars controlled every phase of the game, piling up 41 shots while holding the Beavers to just two attempts. 

The scoring began in the 8th minute when Eastin Colyer found the back of the net off a setup from Moriah Carnahan. Carnahan followed with a goal of her own 10 minutes later before assisting on Ava Leininger's first tally of the day in the 26th minute. Carsyn Osborn extended the lead to 4-0 with a finish assisted by Leininger, and the Stars added two more goals before halftime, another from Leininger and one from Carnahan. 

Stephens carried the momentum into the second half. Colyer struck again in the 50th minute off a feed from Osborn, and Carnahan netted her second of the match midway through the period with Leininger providing the assist. Leininger capped off her standout performance in the 70th minute, recording her fourth goal to push the final margin to 9-0.

Leininger led all scorers with four goals and two assists, while Carnahan finished with two goals and two assists. Colyer added a brace, and Osborn chipped in a goal and an assist. The Stars' attack was relentless, forcing Blackburn goalkeeper Allison Nebelsick into 20 saves over 45 minutes of action.

Defensively, Stephens stayed organized and limited Blackburn's opportunities. Goalkeeper Petra Brncova needed just one save to secure the clean sheet, with strong play in front of her keeping the Beavers off the board. The Stars also won the set-piece battle, earning 13 corner kicks compared to Blackburn's one.

The win moves Stephens to 1-3-1 on the season and provides a spark as the team looks ahead to its upcoming schedule. The Stars return to action on Wednesday, September 10th in Fulton, Missouri to face off against Westminster College. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00pm.