La Salle women's soccer team puts shutout streak on line

They worked on it in the preseason and then a little bit more once their nonconference schedule hit. Now it comes naturally.

La Salle University goalkeeper Melissa Sanger said the key to the impressive shutout streak complied by the women's soccer team is simple: communication.

It's a huge aspect, said Sanger, a redshirt senior and graduate of South Jersey's Kingsway Regional High School. And that aspect has translated to large dividends as the Explorers have shut out opponents 11 straight times en route to a 10-0-1 record and are ranked 25th in the Soccer America poll.

How impressive is 11 shutouts? The Explorers combined for 11 shutouts in the previous two seasons.

"Our team has really come together this year," said Sanger. "We all have the same goal in mind, and everyone has been working hard day in and day out."

On Friday night at 7, the team will put its shutout streak on the line as the Explorers host Atlantic Ten opponent Dayton at McCarthy Stadium, near 20th Street and Olney Avenue.

The Explorers are averaging just more than two goals per game and are outshooting their opponents by an average of five shots per game.

Sanger has played more than 1,000 minutes this season and has accounted for 30 saves. Last week, she was featured in the pages of Sports Illustrated.

"It's a good accomplishment. Never would I think that I'd see myself in there," said Sanger. "I think the whole team has something to do with it."

Along with the play of Sanger, the team's shutout streak has been aided by the strong play of its back line: senior Jess Hopton, junior Diana Allen, and sophomores Ashley Chilcoat and Courtney Niemiec.

A graduate of Little Flower, Niemiec is the team's lone player from Philadelphia. Recruited as a midfielder, Niemiec switched in the preseason to defense because of an injury of a teammate.

"She's done an amazing job," said head coach Paul Royal.