DECATUR, Ga. — The Mississippi University for Women women’s soccer team improved to 2-0 in 2022 thanks to its 5-0 shutout Saturday at Agnes Scott College. In their two contests this season, the Owls have outscored their opponents, 9-1.
“It was another great road win with us playing fantastic soccer,” The W head coach Catie Lyles said. “Every player saw action in today’s game. I am so proud of every person on our roster for stepping up and playing our style of soccer. We just have to keep going up from here.”
The Owls dominated the contest by outshooting the Scotties, 18-8, and were particularly deft with their efforts. The W put 11 of its attempts on frame for a .611 shots-on-goal average.
Conversely, ASC put four shots on goal, only to have all of them turned away by The W goaltenders. Olivia Clark had three saves in her 84:29 minutes of work and Sarah Robinson had one save in 5:31 minutes, as the duo combined on the 13th shutout in program history.
Volleyball
In its 2022 home opener Saturday, The W volleyball team split a pair of matches versus Pensacola Christian College. The Owls (1-2) won the first matchup, 3-1 (25-15, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17), before dropping the second bout, 0-3 (18-25, 12-25, 16-25).
In match one, The W outhit the Eagles by a .210 to .085 margin. That attack was led by the duo of Jasmine Kelly and Maggie Griggs. Kelly converted 10 of 15 kill attempts — with just one error — for a lofty .600 attack average for the match. She also had six aces and three solo blocks to her credit.
In all, MUW amassed 16 aces. Layne Skinner matched Kelly with six winners. Skinner had a well-balanced effort, with six kills, 11 digs and a .910 reception percentage in 18 attempts.
New Hope’s Micaela Hudgins led the Owls up front on defense with six blocks, four of the solo variety. The W had 11 team blocks in the contest.
Cross country
CLINTON — Joshua Gonsalves set a program record in the men’s 5-kilometer race to highlight The W on Friday the Mississippi College Opener. The Owls women finished ninth, while the men were 10th in the final team standings in their respective races (both 5K distances).
Gonsalves had an official time of 18:22.98 minutes, lopping more than 20 seconds off of MUW’s previous 5K record of 18:43.3, set by Jonathan Mathis in 2019. Gonsalves finished 56th in the strong field of competition.
In the women’s run, the sophomore tandem of Kaitlyn McRee and Kalee Sanders started 2022 in the same way they completed every meet of 2021: with one or the other finishing first and second for the Owls. At the MC Opener, it was McRee topping the team by clocking a personal-best 5K time of 25:58.6 minutes, good for 59th place overall.
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