Rio blanks Bears, extends shutout streak

Rio Grande Sports Information
     PORTSMOUTH, Ohio - The University of Rio Grande recorded its fourth straight shutout, outlasting Shawnee State University, 2-0, Thursday evening, in River States Conference women's soccer action at Shawnee Turf.
     The RedStorm, who haven't allowed a goal since dropping a 4-1 decision at Brescia University on October 4, improved to 7-3-5 overall and 5-1-1 in the RSC with the win.
     Shawnee State dropped to 3-11-1 overall and 2-5 in league play with the loss.
     The Bears were forced to play the final 46:48 of the contest one player short after Lexi Conkel was ejected for a slap to the face of Rio junior Morgan Fannin (Circleville, OH) after Fannin stepped in to defuse a budding shoving match between another SSU player and RedStorm senior Chianti Marks (Birmingham, England) .
     Rio finally made good on its personnel advantage with 24:45 left in the contest when senior Sara Estrada Fernandez (Barcelona, Spain) got behind the back line of the Bears' defense and bested SSU goal keeper Harlee Brand in a 1-v-1 situation for a 1-0 RedStorm lead.
     Shawnee State managed only two shots on goal in the second half, but did fail to take advantage of a flurry of action in front of the Rio Grande goal following a corner kick with 5:30 left to play.
     The RedStorm put the win on ice when freshman Stephanie Beaulieu (Morrow, OH) tacked on an unassisted marker with 56 seconds left in the contest.
     Rio finished with 8-7 advantage in shots, a 6-2 edge in shots on goal and a 4-2 cushion in corner kick opportunities.
     Senior Alba Vilades Marin (Barcelona, Spain) had two saves in the win for the RedStorm.
     Brand had three saves in the loss for the Bears.
     Rio Grande returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Indiana University East in another RSC matchup. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.