For the 13th consecutive game, the Aquinas women's soccer team posted a zero on the opponents' side of the scoreboard. Two second-half goals - one early, one insurance goal late - was enough for #8 Aquinas to earn a strong 2-0 road victory against Lawrence Tech.
The Saints received goals from Stephanie Ramos and Sydney Shenk and the 12th solo shutout of the year from goalkeeper Kayla Shuk to keep the unbeaten season alive. Aquinas has not allowed a single goal in WHAC play and pushes the scoreless streak to a staggering 1,196 minutes. The last team to score on AQ was #24 Campbellsville on Sept. 7.
With the win, Aquinas improves to 13-0-3 and 8-0-2 in conference action. The triumph was a solid road victory, coming over a Lawrence Tech team that is now 10-4-2 overall and 7-3 in WHAC play.
It was an extremely slow and uneventful first half for both teams. AQ outshot LTU 5-2, but the Saints did not record a shot over the final 25 minutes. Lawrence Tech's last shot came with more than 16 minutes remaining.
The first shot of the second half for either team was put in the back of the net by Ramos, as she scored at the 50:28 mark on a feed from Shenk. It was the fifth goal of the season for Ramos and Shenk's sixth assist.
Lawrence Tech's lone shot over the final 45 minutes was off target and the home Blue Devils did not threaten again. The stout AQ defense coupled with the insurance goal from Shenk in the 80th minute was enough to finish off LTU. It was the 10th tally of the season for Shenk, as the senior has 44 career goals, second-most in program history.
Aquinas recorded a 15-3 advantage in shots, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. Shuk needed to make three saves for her 12th individual shutout - and 13th overall on the year.
It was a pretty clean game, with just eight fouls (six on AQ) and no cards.
Maeva Lichtensteiger notched a game-high four shots, while Ramos, Shenk, and Laia Cunill registered three apiece. Ramos (three) and Shenk (two) put multiple shots on target in the win.
Incredibly, despite Aquinas not allowing a single goal in conference play this season, the Saints are tied with Siena Heights in the WHAC standings. Both teams have identical 8-0-2 records.
AQ travels to Fort Wayne on Saturday (Oct. 28) to face Indiana Tech (3-5-2 WHAC) in the regular season finale. Siena Heights faces Cleary (0-10) on the road in its final game of the regular season.
