ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Women's Soccer increased its undefeated streak to 10 games in a high-profile American Southwest Conference match Thursday, thumping the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets with a 4-0 victory in Abilene.
Senior Meriah Sikora led the way with two goals – one in each half – for the brace. She now leads the team with 14 points on four goals and six assists and has 13 of her points in the undefeated streak.
The War Hawks improves to 9-2-2 overall and 4-0-2 in the ASC, while Howard Payne drops to 8-4-1 overall and 3-2-1 in conference play. McMurry has won eight of its last 10 games and are among the top four teams in the conference standings.
Additionally, McMurry has its eighth shutout and its fourth in the last five games. Sophomore Cortlynn Boone has played all the meaningful minutes in that span, allowing just two goals with four shutouts. She now owns a goals against average of 0.91 to rank among the conference leaders. Tonight, she had three saves in 85 minutes of action.
The offense was working just as well, scoring a pair of goals in each half en route to a comfortable victory. Senior Hallie Rutherford started the scoring in the 20th minute with a header, assisted by a feed from sophomore Makayla Pearson. Rutherford has six goals to lead the squad.
Sikora added insurance with a goal to end the first half and one to start the second half, making it 3-0 in the 52nd minute. Her first goal came on a straightaway shot at the back center of the box on a pass from Ashley Ubl, while her second one was scored on her own.
Freshman Ashlyn Pozorski put the cherry on top in the 66th minute, scoring on an assist from Rutherford. The goal was Pozorski's third of the season.
McMurry had a 10-5 shot advantage and put five shots on goal – scoring on four of those – while once again winning the corner advantage, 4-0. Sikora had half of McMurry's shots with five, putting three on target.
The War Hawks look to keep it rolling on Saturday, Oct. 16 as they welcome Sul Ross State to Wilford Moore Stadium on Homecoming. Kickoff is estimated for 5 p.m. depending on McMurry's 1 p.m. football game against Austin College.
