Cougars Blank Jaguars in Home Opener

September 3, 2013

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Cassidy Sherman netted a pair of goals as SIUE women’s soccer won its second game in a row, blanking IUPUI 2-0 Friday at Korte Stadium.

The Cougars improved to 2-1-0 with the win, while the Jaguars dropped to 1-1-1.

“We had probably our best week of training this week and it showed out on the field tonight,” SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said.

Sherman’s first two goals of the season came just 2:18 seconds apart in the second half. She put the Cougars on the board in the 49^th with a shot from 15 yards away. Samantha Jones and Chelsea Smith each collected assists on the goal. Michelle Auer added the assist on the second goal with a cross into the box. Sherman finished with a header past IUPUI goalkeeper Giselle Guzman.

“She’s shown that she can be dominant,” Burton said of Sherman. “She’s only a sophomore but she can dominate the play of the game. She showed how tonight.”

The Cougars dominated the run of play from the first whistle through the end of the game. SIUE outshot the Jaguars 18-4 for the game. The Cougars held a 9-2 advantage in each half. Aside from Sherman’s two goals, SIUE hit the post and the crossbar on numerous occasions.

“We got post, crossbar, and a couple of goals,” Burton added. “It’s good to see that is coming. The (offensive) development is there. That was not a strength of ours a season ago.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley made two saves to earn her first shutout of the year, and the 10^th of her Cougar career.

“It was nice to get both things-we got the shutout and a couple of goals,” Burton said.

IUPUI’s Sierra Bryant had two of the Jaguars’ four shots.

The Cougars now have a week off before traveling to Saint Louis to take on the Billikens next Friday night at 7 p.m.