Adhering to the old adage "win when it counts," the Webster University women's soccer team defeated Fontbonne University, 3-0, at Gay Field in Clayton, on October 31. Ashley Mess (FR, Northwest HS, MO) scored a goal with just over a minute remaining in the first half to give Webster a 1-0 lead and that is all the stingy Webster defense would need to win.

The Gorloks had lost at home to the Griffins this past week in OT, throwing a wrench into their plans for an outright St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, and the right to host the first round in the SLIAC Tournament.  But Webster successfully took the hard road to the SLIAC Championship match, with a methodic defensive effort that has been its trademark all season.

Mess' goal was her eighth of the season.  With 22 minutes left in the game, Jordan Fosburgh (JR, Collinsville HS, IL) added an insurance goal with her fifth of the year.  Mess left no doubt about the game's outcome with her ninth goal six minutes later, to make it 3-0.

Webster only allowed 10 shots in the game and has only allowed one goal in nine games vs. SLIAC opponents in 2012.  Goalkeeper Jessica Davis (SO, Belleville West HS, IL) didn't let an 'unlucky' number bother her on Halloween, as she set a new Webster school record for shutouts in a single season with her 13th.  Davis broke the record set in 2008 by Jessica Kozeny.  Davis had three saves in the game.

The Gorloks will now face Greenville College at 7:00 p.m., at the Soccer Park, on November 2.  Greenville advanced to the championship by upsetting Principia College, 1-0.  The winner of the SLIAC Championship will advance to the NCAA III National Championships.

Webster is ranked 8th in the NCAA III Central Region in the latest NSCAA poll.  The Gorloks are 15-5 overall on the season.