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                         October 4, 2002

Women's soccer wins seventh straight

By Mady Salvani
Asst. Director, Athletic Media Relations 

The Army women’s soccer team posted its fifth straight shutout and seventh consecutive victory in upending Lehigh, 2-0, behind a pair of second-half goals by freshmen Leigh Kosco and Delaney Brown in a Patriot League game Saturday evening at Ulrich Field in Bethlehem, Pa.

The Black Knights, averaging 2.9 goals per game in outscoring their opponents 29-4, moved to 8-1-1 for their best start since 1994. Army has not given up a goal since Sept. 14 in a 4-1 win over Rider in outscoring its opponents 26-1 during its present seven-game win streak.

Kosco snapped a scoreless first-half deadlock when she came from the opposite side of the box and ripped a low 15-yard shot into the left corner of the net in the 66th minute off an assist from sophomore Emily Biddick. The goal is her fifth of the season, tying classmate Jennifer Pascucci for second place on the team, and the game winner is her second.

Brown, who leads the Black Knights in scoring with 14 points, recorded a picture-perfect goal in adding a late insurance marker. The Army forward booted a shot across the goalmouth into the right corner of the Mountain Hawks’ net off a volley from classmate Sarah Domme. The goal, coming in the 89th minute, is her team-high sixth of the season. The Pennsylvania native has scored a goal in five of the last six games.

Freshman goalkeeper Morgan Bennett was tested twice in the first half and just once in the second half in recording three saves for her fifth-straight shutout and fourth solo effort to improve to 7-1. She has had a hand in six of the Black Knights’ seven shutouts. Army has not given up a goal in the second half this season while scoring 18 of its 29 goals over that span.

Army’s seven shutouts are its most since recording 11 in 1996, while its five consecutive blankings are the highest since 1993 when the Black Knights shut out their first nine opponents en route to a school record 13.

"We keep finding ways to win and have a lot of fireworks this season," stated Army mentor Gene Ventriglia as a smile brightened his face. "The difference this year is our overall depth which is beginning to pay off for us. We are simply wearing teams down. I am happy for the players and staff because we have all worked very hard."

Army, playing 10 of its first 11 games on the road, closed out its second five-game road stretch against Mid-Hudson rival Marist Wednesday.

The Black Knights have won all six previous meetings, the last two by shutout.