SSU Sports Information

In a game played primarily in the middle third of the field, Shawnee State and Rio Grande battled for over 65 minutes before either side could break onto the score sheet. Although the Bears (5-7, 2-3 MSC) took just seven shots on goal, Brittney Brooks tallied off a rebound and Emily Kuehn anchored a defense that would make that stand up as she stopped all four shots on goal that she faced to post the shutout. For Brooks, the goal was the 40th of her SSU career.

In the opening half, the two sides combined for just seven shots. The Bears owned a 5-2 edge in that category, but put just their final attempt of the half on target. Meanwhile, Kuehn - the reigning MSC Defensive Player of the Week - was called on to make two of her four saves during the first 45 minutes.

The Bears started to push the action deeper into the Rio Grande defensive third as the second half opened up. After a third save by Kuehn, Tasha Wilson would begin to test the Red Storm goalie by putting the Bears’ first shot on target. Allison Nagle would then put two more attempts on frame in the 64th and 66th minute.

Nagle’s shot in the 66th minute would be the one that sparked the only scoring of the contest. The Red Storm’s keeper stopped the initial attempt by Nagle, but conceded a rebound opportunity in the process. Taking advantage of the situation, Brooks followed the shot to the goal and was rewarded with her persistence as she headed the loose ball into the net, giving her team the 1-0 lead.

From that point on, it was all SSU’s defense that locked down all of Rio Grande’s offensive threats. The Red Storm would put just one final attempt on goal and Kuehn was up to challenge for the fourth and final time.

The Bears finished with a total of 13 shots on goal, while Rio Grande’s only four attempts were the shots on goal. Nagle led the team with four shots, while Molly King added three more. Brooks and Wilson each added two shots a piece.

The Bears have now gone two straight games without allowing a goal and have shut out their opponents in three of the last four games. Kuehn has not allowed a goal in her last 192:56 of playing time in net. Overall, the Bears have not allowed a goal in the last 212:46.

Women’s soccer will be back in action this Saturday on the road at Campbellsville. That match will begin at 6 p.m. and be played as doubleheader with the men’s game following.