Little Rock, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Little Rock women’s soccer team (3-5) put together one of their strongest performances of the season Wednesday night, defeating Mississippi Valley State (0-6) by a score of 3-0.  The Trojans outshot the Delta Devilettes 22-0 on the night, including 13-0 in shots on goal.

“Overall, I thought we played very well,” said head coach Freddy Delgado.  “There were a few lapses in the game, but for the most part those lapses were few and far between.  In past games, we have had drop-offs for long periods of time, but there was very little of that tonight.”

While the Trojans offensive numbers were impressive, their play on the other end of the field was just as stellar.  The Devilettes were stifled all night by a UALR defense that did not allow a single shot on the night.

“We talk about team defending and we talk about team attacking, so I think as a team our offense was generated by our goalkeepers and our backs,” said Delgado.  “From the defensive point of view, I thought our defenders did a good job of holding their ground and staying organized, while our midfielders and forwards did a good job of trekking back.  It was a very good job of attacking and defending as a team.”

Unfortunately, because of the Trojans’ strong defense, goalkeeper Jane Picarelli was unable to break the UALR record for career saves on the night.  The North Richland Hills, Texas, native entered the game needing just a single save to set the record.  As it stands, she is still tied with Marsha Stewart (2002-2005) atop the all-time list.

“Jane played a very good game,” said Delgado.  “She did not get a lot of action in goal, but she was critical in helping us switch the point of attack.”

Picarelli and sophomore Michelle Pittman shared the shutout on the night.  Picarelli played the entire first half and the first seven minutes of the second before Pittman substituted and gave her team some quality minutes, finishing the contest and keeping the shutout intact.

As for the UALR offense, they lit up the scoreboard three times on the night, twice in the first half.

The first came in the 16th minute, off the foot of Christina Veasley.  The junior forward trekked down a long pass by Jacquelyn Paz and beat the keeper to make the score 1-0.

The goal was Veasley’s sixth of the season, while the assist was Paz’s third.

Shortly thereafter, Adrianna Queen scored her first goal as a Trojan when she took a pass from Veasley and converted from straightaway, 18 yards out.

The assist was Veasley’s second of the year.

The final UALR goal of the night was scored by Holly Holland.  The freshman beat the keeper on a straightaway shot from 20 yards out to put an exclamation point on a solid Trojan effort.

Danielle Dunsworth was credited with the assist on Holland’s goal, her second of the season.

The Trojans will get some time off this weekend before their long trip to south Florida next week, when they kick off their conference schedule against Florida International in Miami.  The game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 24, with kick off slated for 6 p.m.