COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's soccer team returned home after a short away stint earlier in the week to face off with Mount Union at Bernlohr Stadium. With the two teams in a one-two race at the top of the OAC table, the Comets played to the occasion, netting four goals to roll on past the Purple Raiders 4-1, and holding tight to their top spot in the conference. 

The win put the Purple and White with a 8-2-2 overall record. The Comets remain undefeated in the OAC with a 4-0-1 mark.

Mount Union falls to 6-3-3 (3-2-0 OAC).


HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital played very well on both sides of the ball in the early going. This led to a consistent push into the attacking zone, resulting in a number of early chances and ultimately an early goal. Just 18 minutes in, the Comets were able to draw first blood via a corner kick. Madeline Woodruff served the ball in per usual from the right corner and found Nicole Ogden waiting at the back post. Ogden put a head on it and sent it into the back of the net to give Capital a lead they would never relinquish.

An insurance goal came only 12 minutes later courtesy of Catherine Zugaro. The play started near the midfield line with the ball at the feet of forward-turned-defender Lexi Snider. Snider played the ball deep over the top, finding Zugaro on the run. From there it was Zugaro one-on-one with the keeper, with Zugaro winning the battle and putting the Comets up 2-0 going into the half.

Coming out of the locker room, Capital had not lost any momentum and put a third goal on the board within the first 30 seconds of the fresh 45 minutes. Again, it was Ogden on the score, this time on the receiving end of a cross from Avery Hart. The ball from Hart on the right wing found Ogden in the left side of the box. With plenty of space, Ogden floated the ball into the upper righthand corner of the goal to put the Purple and White up 3-0.

The Comets found a fourth less than ten minutes later with the help of some opportune positioning by forward Grace Estes. It all started with a shot from the right side by Francesca Longano. Against a shot that was good enough to be a goal of its own, the Mount Union keeper was able to get enough on it to knock it off the crossbar and out of the goal. Fortunately for the Comets, Estes was waiting when the ball came down off the bar and quickly deposited it into the back of the net for the 4-0 lead.

The only blemish of the night was the result of a great late play from the Purple Raiders. Good passing in the attacking zone led to a good look and a good goal as Mount Union pulled one back. In the end, it was too little too late as the Comets worked off the twelve remaining minutes and put another tally in the win column, 4-1.


THE NUMBERS
Capital dominated the shot column, taking 22 in the game and hitting the mark on 10. Mount Union took seven shots and were on point with three.

Nicole Ogden adds two goals to her season total. She was a few inches from a hat trick as the would-be third goal slammed off the crossbar. The sophomore from Dublin now sits in a three-way tie for second in scoring with Madeline Woodruff and fellow goal scorers for the day Catherine Zugaro and Grace Estes. She took three shots in total.

Speaking of Zugaro and Estes, their goals also give them three apiece for the season. Zugaro went 1-for-1 shooting. Estes' goal was one of her two shots for the game.

Woodruff, Lexi Snider, and Avery Hart were responsible for the day's assists.

Hart was not shy in terms of shooting. She once again led the squad in offensive chances, taking eight shots. 

Snider (3), Sophia Leonetti (2), Woodruff (1), Abby English (1), and Francesca Longano (1) took the remaining eight attempts for the Comets.

Freshman keeper Liv Alford made her fourth start of the season and played the full 90 minutes. She made two saves, bringing her season total to 22.


THE OPPONENT
The lone Mount Union goal was scored by Addyson Jones, assisted by Jillian Pidgeon and Emily Beach.

Michele Hofacker spent the night in goal for the Purple Raiders, making six saves.


UP NEXT
Capital hits the road next week, traveling to Marietta on Wednesday, October 19. The Comets will take on the Pioneers at 7:00 p.m.