NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It’s becoming pretty clear that a young Yale women’s soccer team is gaining confidence with each passing game. The Bulldogs certainly seemed to be near the top of their game Tuesday night, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Sacred Heart on a hot and humid night at Reese Stadium.

“This was our first complete game,” said Yale head coach Rudy Meredith. “Both offensively and defensively we played well, and I thought we were good in the beginning, the middle and the end.”

Freshman Michelle Alozie, who on Monday was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week, led the offense with three goals. She now has four goals in the last two games.

“She adds an element which you have to be aware of, and that helps make everyone around her better,” Meredith said of Alozie.

Senior Shannon Conneely also scored, while Geneva Decker, Ally Grossman, Fallon Sheridan and Fran Steele all tallied assists.

Alozie got the Bulldogs on the board at 6:57. Decker sent a long ball forward, and when a Sacred Heart defender and goalkeeper Talia Schwartz hesitated on playing the ball, Alozie pushed it forward, raced ahead and tapped it into an empty net.

Alozie struck again less than six minutes later when she headed in a perfect free kick from Grossman at 12:17.

The hat trick was completed midway through the second half. Alozie took a feed from Sheridan near midfield, dribbled 20 yards and fired a shot inside the post at 61:31.

Conneely capped the scoring with less than five minutes left. Steele sent a free kick into the box where it deflected to Conneely, who fired a shot over Schwartz’s head.

The assist was the first career point for Steele, a freshman.

Goalkeeper Rachel Ames made six saves to post the shutout.

The Bulldogs have won two straight after opening the season with losses to Arkansas and Hofstra.

“Playing Arkansas and Hofstra early has been good for us,” Meredith said. “It’s helped prepare us both mentally and physically for games like tonight.”

Yale hits the road for the first time this season on Friday, travelling to Villanova. Kickoff is slated for Friday at 3 p.m.

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