LAWRENCEVILLE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's soccer team capped its first season as an NCAA II provisional member with a dominant performance against NAIA opponent Georgia Gwinnett (9-7-1) on Sunday. The Blue and Gold netted four goals in the first half on the way to a 6-0 shutout of the Grizzlies and closed out the 2015 campaign with an 11-3-1 record.
 
"Today was a tale of two halves," ERAU Head Coach Samantha Bohon said. "It was nice to see our team return to the tempo and offensive rhythm in the first half that we've been missing the last 2 games. We put goals in early to earn comfortable control of the game. Our final pass was really good and created some quality scoring chances."
 
The Eagles established themselves early with a goal in the second minute of play. Playing on the right side, Isabelle Haaranen dribbled into the box and took the ball the way to the end line before cutting the ball back and completing a cross to Katherine Ebbs. Standing just inside the 18-yard box, Ebbs ripped a first-touch strike into the upper right corner to give the visiting Eagles up 1-0.
 
Eight minutes later the Eagles struck again and this time, Ebbs was the player with the assist. The senior settled a Grizzly clearance attempt and slipped a pass through to Andrea Froshuag who raced into the box and deposited a shot into the lower left corner to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
Ebbs and Froshaug each registered another goal in the first frame, with assists from Gudrun Johnson and Isabelle Haaranen to give ERAU a comfortable 4-0 cushion at the half.
 
While there was a good rhythm to the first of the first half, there was very little flow to the second 45 minutes, thanks in part to seven cautions and two red cards issued by the referee.
 
Despite the stoppages in play, the Eagles still managed to maintain their composure and add two more scores to the tally.
 
"The shocking red card we got early in the second half changed the entire tone of the game. Fortunately, even though we were down a player, the ladies got an emotional spark and continued to keep the ball in the offensive end. When they got their red card towards the end, we just wanted to get out of the game safely and with the comfortable 6-0 win."
 
In the 68^th minute, the Eagles stepped up to take their eighth corner kick of the game. Guro Naess Berge hit a driven ball into the six-yard box where Emmie Johansson managed to get a touch on it while applying pressure to the Grizzly goalkeeper.
 
The sixth and final goal started with great distribution from senior goalkeeper Jen Grimes. Grimes played a one-touch pass to an open Rachel Owens on the flank and after taking a touch, Owens delivered a perfect pass Khyla Brangman in behind the Grizzly defense. Brangman slotted the ball in the net with confident finish to cap off the scoring for the Eagles.
 
"I can't say enough about this year's team," Bohon concluded. "There's not much more I could ask for in our first year playing Division II. We played an ambitious schedule because we wanted to test ourselves and see how we measured against some of the top teams and in a challenging conference. To come away this season with a win against a top-ranked team, tied for the best record against conference teams, and 10 of our 11 wins being shutouts, it really is a testament to the commitment and mentality of the players in this program. All the credit goes to them; they've worked incredibly hard and had confidence in their ability as a unit, regardless of the change to Division II. I'm so proud of them.
 
"We graduate a special group of players, and I want to personally thank them for their investment in our program. They each gave so much to make this program continue to grow and reach new heights. And, for as good of players that they are, they are even more outstanding people. We will miss them, both on and off the field and they will always be part of our ERAU family."