ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Webster University women's soccer team continued its unbeaten run through conference play on Saturday afternoon, defeating Greenville University 3-0 to set up a winner-take-all showdown for the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) regular-season championship. The Gorloks improved to 10-2-1 overall and 6-0-1 in conference play.
Carmen Williams, Mia Smith and Malaya Blakely each found the back of the net for Webster, while goalkeeper Leia Adkins recorded four saves to secure the shutout. The Gorloks outshot Greenville 15-9, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal, while holding a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Webster established control early, generating several scoring opportunities in the opening minutes. Following a series of corner kicks, the Gorloks broke through in the 10th minute when Williams found the back of the net. Riley Cappozzo provided the assist on Williams' second goal of the season, giving Webster a 1-0 advantage.
The Gorloks doubled their lead less than 10 minutes later. After Ellie Fiala forced a save from Greenville goalkeeper Natalie McCullough in the 20th minute, Smith capitalized on the ensuing opportunity, scoring her 12th goal of the season. Fiala was credited with the assist as Webster extended its lead to 2-0.
Webster maintained its offensive pressure throughout the remainder of the first half, outshooting the Panthers 9-4 while generating five corner kicks. Adkins made two saves in the opening 45 minutes to preserve the two-goal advantage heading into halftime.
Greenville looked to respond early in the second half, forcing Adkins into a save in the 50th minute. However, the Gorloks answered with another goal just minutes later.
In the 52nd minute, Blakely found the back of the net for her team-leading 15th goal of the season, extending Webster's advantage to 3-0 at the 52:40 mark. Williams provided the assist, finishing the afternoon with three points on one goal and one assist.
The Gorloks continued to create opportunities throughout the second half, with Blakely and Smith each testing McCullough in the 73rd and 75th minutes, respectively. Greenville managed five shots after halftime, but Adkins and the Webster defense kept the Panthers off the scoreboard to complete the shutout.
Blakely and Smith led the offensive attack with four shots apiece, while Sofia Bosnos added two. Adkins played all 90 minutes in goal, turning away all four shots on target.
With the victory, Webster remains unbeaten in SLIAC competition and enters its regular-season finale with an opportunity to claim the conference championship.
The Gorloks will travel to Fulton, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 28, to face Westminster College in a matchup that will determine the SLIAC regular-season champion. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with the winner claiming the conference title.
