Rio women blank Crimson Pride

Rio Grande Sports Information
     COLUMBUS, Ind. - While the final score may have suggested otherwise, make no mistake that the University of Rio Grande's win over Indiana University Columbus on Thursday afternoon was about as lopsided as it could've been.
     The RedStorm held the host Crimson Pride without a shot en route to a 2-0 victory in River States Conference women's soccer action at Blackwell Park.
     Rio Grande improved to 7-4-1 overall and 4-0-1 in league play with the victory.
     IU Columbus dropped to 2-7-1 overall and 0-4 in the RSC with the loss.
     The RedStorm enjoyed a 23-0 advantage in overall shots and a 10-0 edge in shots on frame.
     Head coach Brooke Perkins' squad also was responsible for all nine corner kick chances in the match.
     Despite its heavy cushion in shots, Rio Grande failed to get on the scoreboard until just 12 seconds remained in the first half. Junior Sara Estrada Fernandez (Barcelona, Spain) played a ball which deflected off of a Crimson Pride defender following a Rio corner kick into the net.
     The RedStorm's other goal came just under four minutes into second half on a penalty kick by reigning RSC Offensive Player of the Week, junior Jitske De Muinjk (Nymegen, The Netherlands).
     Rio senior goalkeeper - and reigning RSC Defensive Player of the Week - Alba Vilades Marin (Barcelona, Spain) recorded her third straight clean sheet effort and her fourth shutout in the team's last five outings.
     Mallory Gilley had eight saves in a losing cause for IU Columbus.
     Rio Grande returns to action on Saturday when it hosts West Virginia University Tech for a 3 p.m. kickoff at Evan E. Davis Field.