Women's Soccer Records First Win In Decisive Victory Over Madonna

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's soccer team struck for four second-half goals and gave first-year head coach Andy McCaslin his first victory at the helm as the Bulldogs posted a decisive 4-0 non-league win over visiting Madonna on Friday (Sept. 13) at the FSU Soccer Field.

The victory came in the Bulldogs' 2013 home opener in Big Rapids and was the first career head coaching win for McCaslin at FSU.

Ferris State dominated the contest as the Bulldogs recorded 26 total shots and allowed only a single Crusader shot, which came in the final 10 seconds of the match.  

FSU received a pair of goals from junior midfielder Stephanie Garland, who also had a team-high six total shots.

After a scoreless first half, Garland notched FSU's first goal only 30 seconds into the second half when she found the back of the net on a rebound try with assists credited to both junior midfielder Taylor DiCicco and sophomore forward Nichole Boehnke.

Then, in the 54th minute, DiCicco scored her first goal of the year by heading in a shot off a free kick from junior Leanne Boehm.

Less than eight minutes later, at 62:21, Garland put one past the Crusaders again as she broke free on a shot off a pass to the middle from DiCicco.

The final Bulldog goal came at 82:06 when freshman defender Kate Kelly registered her first collegiate goal on a long shot off a free kick that went over the outstretched arms of Madonna keeper Katrina Arnold.

Ferris State totaled 14 shots in the opening half and 12 in the second half.  In addition to Garland's six shots on net, the Bulldogs also received three shots each from DiCicco, sophomore Abby Meirndorf and junior forward Jenna Ruimveld.

The contest proved to be physical on both sides as each team totaled 10 fouls and the Crusaders had a pair of yellow cards.

Besides the 26 total shots, the Bulldogs also had six corner kick tries to only one for Madonna.

FSU senior Rachel McCollum played the first half in net for the Bulldogs before giving way to freshman Savanna Wojtanowski in the second half. On the opposite side, Blaire Schmalenberg started the game in net for Madonna and recorded seven saves with Arnold playing the entire second period and stopping five Bulldog shots.

The win was the first of the year for the Bulldogs, who improved to 1-2 overall on the season.  Madonna dropped to 2-2 overall with the setback.

The Bulldogs will continue their homestand as they host Northwood in non-conference play on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. (ET) at the FSU Soccer Field.

FSU will help aid an important cause by holding Sunday's charity contest to raise money for They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO). As part of the effort associated with the TOCO match, the Bulldogs will be collecting new or gently used soccer equipment, athletic apparel and shoes, which will be distributed by TOCO to needy children in the Caribbean. Equipment can include anything from soccer socks and balls to sets of uniforms and donations will be accepted on Sunday in lieu of an admission fee to the contest.

Sunday's contest will mark the Bulldogs' final home match during the month of September.