FENTON, Mo. – Webster University raised the curtain on its 2018 season here Friday evening by scoring three goals, including a career-high two goals from senior forward Nicole Bascio (Wentzville, Mo./Timberland) en route to posting a 3-0 shutout victory over the Cougars at World Wide Technology Soccer Park.
The six-time reigning St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference Champions outshot the Cougars, 17-7, including a 10-2 edge in shots on goal to win its second consecutive season opener and improved to 15-5 overall in season openers in program history.
Bascio got the scoring started with a goal off an assist by junior forward Melissa Kasper (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) at the 22:46 mark of the opening half. That would be the only goal of the half despite the two teams combining for 13 shots in the first half as the Gorloks had nine shots and CUC added four.
Webster extended its lead to 2-0 just five minutes into the second half on another goal by Bascio. This goal came off a pass from junior midfielder Olivia Osterhage (Eureka, Mo./Eureka). The two goals by Bascio marked the first two goal game of her collegiate career.
Sophomore forward Joi Wilson (Tracy, Calif./Tracy) completed the game's scoring with an unassisted goal in the 71st minute to give the Gorloks a 3-0 lead.
The three goals in Friday's opener were the most goals scored by the Gorloks in a season opener since tallying four goals in a 4-1 win over Nebraska Wesleyan to open the 2011 season.
While its offense scored three goals on Friday night, the Gorloks defense also turned in a solid effort as they allowed just seven shots and just shots on goal in the match. It was the second consecutive shutout by the Gorloks in a season opener as they defeated Illinois College 2-0 in last season's opener.
Senior goalkeeper Alisa Coralic (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville) played all 90 minutes in the net and recorded two saves to record her fourth career shutout and improve her all-time record in goal to 20-5-1. The 20 win are sixth on the school's all-time list.
While Coralic was solid in goal, CUC also got a strong performance in goal from Madeline Kroll as she recorded seven faces and allowed just three goals. She had six of those seven saves in the first half.
Five Gorloks finished the night with at least two shots and three had two shots on goal in the win. Bascio and junior midfielder Savannah Page (Sandy, Utah/Sandy) each had three shots, while Kasper, Wilson and freshman forward Kendra Neill (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) had two shots apiece.
Samantha Wozniak led the way for the Cougars offense as she had three shots and two shots on goal in the loss.
CUC also held a 3-0 edge in corner kicks, all of which came in the second half.
The Gorloks will look to remain perfect on the season as they return to action on Monday, Sept. 3 with a 12 p.m. match at the WWT Soccer Park against Dominican (Ill.) University. The match-up will feature two teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament a season ago and combined to post a 36-3-4 record in 2017.
