TOLEDO, OH ? Toledo ran its winning streak to four straight with a 4-0 victory over Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams at Scott Park. With the shutout win, the Rockets have not given up a goal during their school-best winning streak and improved to 6-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the league.
UT came out with its guns blazing and had the game's first quality scoring chance in the eighth minute off a corner kick from senior Suzi Siwinski. The co-captain played a ball into the middle of the WMU goal box to sophomore Ali Leak, who was able to slide a low shot in from about eight-yards out. Unfortunately for the Rockets, a WMU defender was there to make a goal-saving stop with her feet and keep the game tied.
Toledo continued to dominate the action in the opening half and was presented with another golden opportunity at 18:26. Junior Annie Sullivan was all alone at the top of the WMU goal box for a split-second, and the Cincinnati, OH native turned and fired a shot, but the Broncos' netminder Julia Francy made the stop.
As the first half wore on, the Rockets' perserverance paid off in an enormous way in a span of two minutes. Senior Pene Hughes found a seam in the WMU defense and headed a free kick off the foot of Siwinski into the back of the net for the eventual match-winning score at 39:45. It was Hughes' second goal and Siwinski's second assist of the season.
Exactly one-minute later, UT doubled its advantage on freshman Amely Tremblay's first career tally. Classmate Erin Flynn made a run down the sideline and perfectly crossed the ball in the middle of the WMU goal box to Tremblay, who blasted a shot home to make it 2-0 at the intermission.
In the second half, UT kept up its pressure and nearly added to its lead in the 51st minute. Sullivan made a nice move to elude a defender deep in the Broncos' territory. She then crossed the ball into the Western Michigan goal box toward sophomore Molly Cornwell, who had slipped in behind the last line of defense. Much to the dismay of Toledo, Western Michigan's Francy came off her line to grab the cross and deny the rally.
The defending MAC Tournament champions would not be denied, though, and Sullivan reaped the benefits less than three minutes later. She won a free ball at the top of the WMU goal box and lofted a shot over the outstretched arms of Francy to make it a three-goal contest at 53:15.
Despite the lead, UT was not done with the pressure and junior Tara Witt delivered the last score at 68:03 to make it a 4-0 final. Off a corner kick, Witt won a free ball in the middle of the WMU goal box and got just enough of her foot on the ball to direct it into the back of the net for her first tally.
Toledo held a sizable 17-5 shot advantage in the match. Sophomore Andrea Plewes and freshman Angela Righeimer combined for the shutout as they totaled four saves for the Rockets. Francy absorbed the loss for the Broncos, collecting five stops.
Dating back to last season, the Midnight Blue and Gold are unbeaten in a school record last seven home matches (6-0-1), including a perfect 3-0-0 in 2007.
The Rockets, who are a perfect 3-0-0 at home this season and are unbeaten over their last seven matches dating back to last season, return to action on Sunday when they host Northern Illinois. The opening whistle is slated for 1:00 p.m.
TOLEDO 4, Western Michigan 0
UT: P. Hughes (S. Siwinski), 39:45
UT: A. Tremblay (E. Flynn), 40:45
UT: A. Sullivan (Unassisted), 53:15
UT: T. Witt (Unassisted), 68:03
SHOTS: UT 17, WMU 5
SAVES: UT 4, WMU 5
CORNER KICKS: UT 8, WMU 1
FOULS: UT 11, WMU 7
