When The University of Scranton women’s soccer team scored in the opening five minutes, it was a telling sign of things to come in their match against Delaware Valley on Saturday afternoon. The Royals scored twice more and controlled the action throughout en route to their first win, 3-0, at Fitzpatrick Field.

Scranton (1-4-2) received goals from senior midfielder Sydney Parker (Randolph, N.J./Randolph), senior forward Sarah Gibbons (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) and freshman forward Gianna Vitolo (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls) in the victory.

Parker’s second goal of the season at the 4:43 mark put the Royals ahead early when she picked up a loose ball and ripped home a shot from straight in front for a 1-0 lead.

Twenty-six minutes later, Gibbons scored her first goal of the year when she took a perfect feed from junior forward Samantha Russo (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) and curled a shot into the upper left corner. The assist was the third of the season for Russo.

Scranton held that 2-0 lead at halftime before Vitolo put the game away in the 74th minute with an 18-yard blast from the top of the box on a feed from freshman midfielder Michelle Post (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck). The goal was Vitolo’s second of her career while Post picked up her first career assist.

The Royals outshot the Aggies, 39-7, and have now outshot all seven opponents they’ve faced this season. Junior goalie Kelsy McAnelly (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) made a pair of saves while earning her second shutout of the season.

For Delaware Valley (2-4), senior goalie Julie Burnell (Seaville, N.J./Ocean City) made 15 saves.

Scranton returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 19, when they travel across town to face Marywood University at 7 p.m. The Royals will open Landmark Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 22, when they host Goucher College at 1 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.

--ROYALS--

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