THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Women's Soccer team traveled north to Denton this evening to take on Texas Woman's University in a match at Pioneer Soccer Park that saw the Patriots win by a score of 5-0. This was the first of two matchups that these teams will have with this one being outside of the conference slate.

The Patriots (4-0-0) dominated the game from the very beginning of the match. Freshman Ashley Merrill would beat the TWU goalie off of a well struck volley right at the top of the box that would get DBU on the board in the 7th minute of the game. The Patriots would keep the goals coming in the first half as Delaney Schmidt, Marit Auee, and Jenna Patterson would all find the back of the net. Although senior Kaci Parks did not get on the scoresheet tonight, she did a good job at bringing the ball into her feet, distributing to her partners, and pulling defenders out of position to create space for the Patriots.

While the game looked like it may become physical early on, composure, beautiful combinations and movement off of the ball would all allow DBU to calm the game down and control it at their will. The midfield for the Patriots was commanding for the whole game; helping connect DBU and facilitate the ball all around the field. Senior Brittany Eccles stood out in the midfield tonight both offensively and defensively. Eccles went the full 90 tonight for DBU and won many balls in the air, was the first to several second balls, and shut down any threat that TWU had in the middle of the field.

The backline for the Patriots held the frontrunners of TWU to virtually no chances, only allowing two shots on target the entire game that were no problem for goalie Hailey Brown. The center back partnership of Blythe Obar and Gabrielle Heller did an outstanding job staying tight to the Pioneer forwards and allowed them no time on the ball. Summerlyn Heller and Marit Auee were absolutely electric on the outside for DBU, getting forward and contributing to the attack all game with Heller getting an assist and Auee notching her 2nd goal of the year.
 
DBU would finish the game with 18 shots, the defense holding TWU to a shutout, and the final score being 5-0.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
  - Sophomore Jenna Patterson had a great showing tonight. Patterson caused trouble for the defense of TWU all night with her skill on the wing and her speed to get in behind the defense. Patterson's two goals tonight were the first of her 2021 campaign.
 
 - Delaney Schmidt had another strong showing tonight. Apart from scoring a goal for the 2nd straight game, Schmidt did a great job of finding space on the wings, running at her defenders, and setting her teammates up in good situations.

 - Freshman center back Blythe Obar is fitting into the back four for the Patriots really well. Obar is a physical tackler of the ball, comfortable with the ball at her field, and matches up well with any forward she will come up against.
 
COACH MICHELLE LENARD ON THE PATRIOTS WIN
"I thought we had a very well-rounded game tonight. We scored some great goals, got a shutout, and got valuable minutes for a lot of players. We came out with great energy and moved the ball very well. It was fun soccer to watch."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
18.5 – The Patriots are averaging 18.5 Shots Per Game this season. With a .541% Shots on Goal Percentage. That is just absurd.

4 – The Patriots had four different goal scorers in the same game for the 2nd time this season tonight. Once again showcasing the amount of weapons that are on this team.

.867% – DBU Goalies Adrianna Schroeder and Hailey Brown have saved .867% of the shots they have faced this season. Only allowing two goals so far.

UP NEXT
DBU will host Oklahoma Baptist University at Patriot Field on Tuesday, March 9th. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.