Box Score BALTIMORE, MD – The York College women's soccer team put together their most complete effort of the young season as they blanked Alvernia University 3-0 in the second round of the JHU Blue Jay Classic hosted by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Spartans earn their first win of the year as they improve to 1-2 while the Crusaders fall to 1-2 with the loss.
The Spartans were able to carry over the momentum of their strong play from Saturday's tight loss to #5 Johns Hopkins. York pressured the Crusaders from the start as they looked like a very confident squad.
The Green and White opened the scoring in the 21st minute as Elexa Sherman (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) blasted a shot from the top of the box that caromed off an Alvernia defender and carried into the goal for Sherman's first goal of the year.
York added to the lead exactly eight minutes later as sophomore Corie Elliott (Laurel, Md./Delmar) struck for her first goal as a Spartan. Elliott trapped a long cross from Marisa Brisbane (Damascus, Md./Damascus) in the box and one-timed the shot home for the 2-0 Spartan lead.
York would get some more opportunities in the half but had to settle for the two goal lead at the break.
The Spartans continued to take the play to the Crusaders in the second half. Elliott netted her second goal of the game in the 76th minute. Freshman Emily Carnochan (Greensboro, Md./North Caroline) sent a beautiful pass across the box that Elliott banged into the open net as the York lead grew to 3-0.
That would be more than enough for senior Kate Lutte (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua) as she pitched her first collegiate shutout. Lutte, who was outstanding in the loss to Hopkins on Saturday, registered a clean sheet with seven saves to earn her first collegiate shutout and her first career victory.
Margaret Burnett started in goal for the Crusaders and absorbed the loss as she allowed two goals in her 45 minutes of work. Jessica Plunkett played the second half and was solid as she allowed one goal while recording five saves.
The Spartans ended the game outshooting the Crusaders 23-10 while Alvernia held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Spartan head coach Vicki Sterner was pleased with her squad's weekend performance.
"I thought we played well all weekend," said Sterner. "I was happy to see us really attack in the offensive third today. Our forwards did a great job of finishing and that's a great sign for us. Kate gave us another strong performance in net and I thought she played great all weekend. It was a very positive weekend for us. However, we need to continue to work hard and improve each day."
The Spartans are off until Saturday when they conclude their season opening four game road trip with a visit to McDaniel College to face the Green Terror. Kick off from Westminster is set for 1:00 pm.
Elexa Sherman photo courtesy of David Sinclair
