Friday night, the Bucs soccer team continued their winning streak by blanking Belmont 5-0.
In their home opener, the Bucs dominated play by out-shooting the Bruins 24-0.
The Bruins had no shots on goal, no goal kicks and rarely made a push to the Bucs’ penalty box. “We continue to have a strong defense,” said Coach Heather Henson.
“They are really clicking. The backs are coming out and attacking and that is something we have been working on. “We placed a primary focus on the attacking end of the game in our preseason training.
“We knew that focusing on consistency in the attacking third would be the winner in this game.
“It feels so good to have three shutouts this season,” said senior captain Heather Sanden.
“We have always had a good defense, but we are trying a new system and it took a while to get used to, but it is working.”
The Bucs got their first goal in the first minute of the game, when freshman Rebecca Murray sent a corner kick across the goal and sophomore Kerri Burke finished it off.
The Bucs continued to dominate play and in the ninth minute scored again when freshman Blair Degraw’s shot rebounded in front of the goal and senior captain Andrea Brown finished it off.
“I am very excited this season,” said senior Andrea Brown. ” The freshman class came in this season ready to work, and they bring a lot of intensity.”
The Bucs continued to push the offensive third, and freshman Blair Degraw finally put one away for her first goal as a Buc. Thirty-seven minutes into the game, Degraw went unassisted to the goal and put a shot past Belmont keeper Ali Young.
Young came into the ETSU match riding high off a personal and school-best 20 saves in her last match.
“Ali Young had a great game vs. Middle Tennessee State University and setting school and personal records always gives confidence to build on,” said Henson.
“Belmont made some adjustments in the second half, and we had to find the openings to win,” said Henson.
The freshman energy and the Bucs’ new attack philosophy found the back of the net again.
Freshman Trisha Haupt scored off an assist from junior Katherine Gentry. Two minutes later, the Bucs scored again off of a direct kick.
Sophomore Erin Ashton crossed a pass to junior Jennifer Fields, who headed the ball into the goal.
” The speed on the team is fantastic,” said Assistant Athletic Director Barbie Breedlove, ” and they’re a strong recruiting class.”
The speed and fitness can, in part, be attributed to new assistant coach Juan Bernedo. Bernedo came to ETSU from Longwood University, where he was a player for three years and an assistant coach from 2001 to 2003. “Juan is a real fitness buff,” said Heather Sanden. “He worked us really hard in the preseason, but it paid off.”
The Bucs look to continue their undefeated record against Radford at home on Friday at 7 p.m.

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