![Goals Either Side of Halftime Secure Best Start Since 2016](/images/2022-23/WomenSoccer/Thompson_IU-East_1.jpg)
Goals Either Side of Halftime Secure Best Start Since 2016
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – RV Taylor (8-0-0) collected its eighth-straight victory to begin the season against Lawrence Tech (1-3-1) Wednesday night, thanks to goals either side of halftime for a 2-0 final.
TU's eight-straight victories are the best to begin a season since it started the year 9-0-0 in 2016 on its way to a 14-2-1 season.
The Trojans battled against the Blue Devils in an end-to-end match for the opening 20 minutes, with TU firing five shots and Lawrence Tech taking three of its own.
Taylor controlled the remainder of the half, producing the final seven shots of the half along with eight corner kicks. The last of those corners proved fruitful when Claire Massey sent in a terrific ball that Sydney Thompson got her head to and blasted past the keeper for the opening goal in the 43rd minute. The goal was not only her first of the season but also the first of her TU career after registering her first two assists in purple and gold earlier this year.
LTU came out with vigor in the second stanza, launching five shots in the first 15 minutes after the break, with two of those being saved by Hannah Brackenbury, who totaled five saves in the contest.
TU grabbed a goal shortly afterward in the 63rd minute, scoring after a terrific through ball from Lauren Collins found Emma Goebel in the box, who slotted home for the second goal of the match and third goal of the season for Goebel.
The Blue Devils upped the pressure again after falling behind by two, firing six shots in the final 20 minutes of action, but were turned away by the TU defense every time.
The shutout for Taylor is its sixth of the season, which places it third in the NAIA, showcasing the dynamic defense so far this season.
The Trojans totaled an astonishing 12 corner kicks throughout the contest to bring them up to 66 on the season, which is also good enough for third in the NAIA. The offense produced 19 shots, 11 of which were on frame to continue to rank second in the NAIA in those categories.
RV Taylor begins Crossroads League action on Saturday afternoon against Mount Vernon Nazarene (3-5-1) inside Turner Stadium with the match set to begin at 1:00 pm.