UNION, N.J. (8/30/08) - The Kean University women's soccer team opened the 2008 season with a 6-0 shutout victory over visiting Gwynedd-Mercy College in the Cougar Classic on Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Muhlenberg College defeated St. Joseph's College - Long Island, 4-0. All four teams return to the field tomorrow, as Gwynedd-Mercy battles St. Joseph's at 11 a.m., and the Cougars host Muhlenberg at 1 p.m., at Kean Alumni Stadium.
Nine different players recorded points for the Cougars, including five scoring goals, as junior Jenna Godwin (Kingwood, N.J.) led the way with two goals and an assist.
The Cougars scored three times in a seven minute span late in the first half to take a 3-0 lead at halftime. With 10:23 left in the first half, junior Kayla Duncan (Edison, N.J.) scored off the assist from senior Amanda Pitts (Rahway, N.J.) to open the scoring. Godwin followed less than four minutes later, taking a pass from sophomore Randi Vizoco (Erial, N.J.) on the left side for the 2-0 lead. With just 3:45 left in the half, rookie Tara Dey (Hamilton, N.J.) netted her first career goal when her shot deflected off the keeper and into the net.
In the second half, Kean quickly added to the advantage, extending the lead to 4-0 when Godwin found freshman Danielle Esposito (Holmdel, N.J.) for a breakaway goal just 6:40 into the half.
The Cougars tacked on goals in the 71st and 77th minutes, when rookie Ashley DiRocco (Cranford, N.J.) scored off of Lauren Guenette's (Atco, N.J.) deflected shot and Godwin closed out the scoring, taking a pass from junior Nicolette Maggio (Tenafly, N.J.) inside the box for her second goal of the afternoon.
Kean held a 29-5 advantage in shots, as Griffin keeper Kristie Pollock (Kennett Square, Pa.) stopped eight shots in 77 minutes of action and rookie Abby Reed (Manheim, Pa.) made two saves.
MUHLENBERG BLANKS ST. JOSEPH'S, 4-0
Muhlenberg College freshman Renee Dessimone (Glen Rock, N.J.) recorded the hat trick to lead the Mules past St. Joseph's College - L.I., 4-0, in opener of the Cougar Classic.
Dessimone scored twice in the first half, as the Mules took a 2-0 lead at halftime. For the Golden Eagles, junior Dana Carney (Patchogue, N.Y.) helped keep the team in the game, making 12 saves in the opening half.
Mulhlenberg added two more goals in the second half, as junior Kimberly Hacker (Greenville, Del.) scored off the assist from freshman Nicolette Miller (Wyomissing, Pa.) and Dessimone added one more off a pass from freshman Meghan O'Grady (Mechanicsburg, Pa.).
Carney finished the game with 19 saves, as the Mules held a 32-4 edge in shots and 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.