ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon soccer (1-0) dominated defensively in a 2-0 season-opening win over Bemidji State at Spratt Stadium on Friday night.
The Griffons, who have now won 12 consecutive home matches, held the Beavers (0-1) to just three total shots and just one shot-on-goal.
The Griffons, meanwhile, shined offensively as well with 15 total shots and nine of those on goal.
MoWest put the first goal on the board in the 17
th minute when
Rachyl Benavides took a deep shot that came to rest in the top half of the net.
The Griffons slammed the door midway through the second half when
Maddy Harmon scored her first career goal in the 67th minute off of a free kick by
Kendall Knisley which came just outside the Beavers' 18-yard area.
Knisley had a team-best three shots-on-goal and an assist.
Camrin Peaslee had two shots, including one on goal.
In her collegiate soccer debut, sophomore
Morgan Byrd scored the shutout win in goal, tallying one save in the full 90 minutes.
Brookelyn Buttolph,
Ava Smith and
Nicoletta Froehlich played the entire 90 minutes defensively.
Alyssa French was also on the pitch the entire time in the midfield.
MoWest stays home on Sunday to face Northern State. Kickoff is set for 1 pm. The game will be broadcast on the MIAA Network and the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).
Northern (0-1) lost at Northwest Missouri State Friday, 3-0.
