Women’s soccer shuts out Central Methodist

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Story by Jim Joyner, Sports Editor

The women’s soccer team won its final regular-season game of the season, 4-0, over Central Methodist on Nov. 1 at Liston Stadium.

The Baker shutout came on senior night as the team improved its record to 11-5-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

The scoring happened quickly and put the game out of reach early.

Eight minutes in, senior Shelby Schiraldi ran down to the corner flag for Baker’s first corner of the night. Schrialdi sent a low line-drive into the box that found sophomore Keeley Atkin alone and with space. Atkin deflected the cross with her upper leg and found her fifth goal of the season.. Atkin leads the team in shots taken with 38.

In the 24th minute, sophomore Gabrielle Betsch sent a through ball for senior Alexa Fryer, who tracked the ball down at the top of the box, made one move and sent a shot past the outstretched leg of Eagles senior keeper Sam Savio for a 2-0 lead.

Junior Jenna Carducci scored her fifth goal of the season in the 35th minute from the topside of the 18-yard box. Carducci and Atkin are at the head of the pack in total number of goals this season.

At halftime Baker outshot Central Methodist 8-4 and led in nearly every facet of the game.

Freshman Elle Fredrickson scored her second goal of the season in the 86th minute. Schiraldi and freshman Kara Doctor combined on the assist to put the final score at 4-0. Schiraldi’s eighth assist this season marks the most of any player since 2012 when Jordan Dolbin had 13.

Senior goalkeeper Rachel Theobald made five saves on the night and pitched her seventh clean sheet of the season and 17th of her career at Baker.

Fryer and Atkin led the way for Baker against CMU with three shots each out of the Wildcats’ 15 total.

The team takes momentum into the HAAC postseason tournament as the Wildcats have won four of their last five games in the conference after losing their first two.