The Emory University Women's Soccer team began the University Athletic Association portion of their schedule on a strong note Saturday afternoon, blanking 4th-ranked University of Chicago 2-0 at the Woodruff PE Center. The Eagles have now won four consecutive contests to improve to 6-3 on the year while the loss was the first suffered by the Maroons this season as they fall to 9-1-0.
The win over Chicago represents Emory's second straight victory over a team ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top-25 and the first win by an Eagles team over a team ranked in the top-5 since November 8th, 2014 when Emory knocked off 4th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University, 1-0.
Senior Cristina Ramirez gave the Eagles a 1-0 advantage in the 22nd minute as she scored her second goal of the season. Sophomore Nikki Batt had a great pass through traffic to hit a sliding Ramirez inside the six-yard box who was able to finish it from close range. Freshman Shivani Beall collected her team-leading fourth assist on the play.
Freshman Caroline Kolski scored her second goal in as many games to put the finishing touch on the Maroons with a tally in the 86th minute. Kolski fought off one Chicago defender before firing a long curling shot that sailed over the Maroons goalkeeper's outstretched arms.
The Emory defense put forth another stellar performance on Saturday as the Eagles backline limited the highest scoring team in the UAA to just nine shots total (two on goal), marking the first time all season the Maroons were held under 10 shots in a game. Emory doubled up UC in shots on the afternoon, 18-9, with Ramirez leading the way with six.
The Eagles are back in action Tuesday night as they host Sewanee University at 6:00 pm at the Woodruff PE Center before traveling to 11th-ranked Washington University on October 8th.