Eureka Shuts Out Blackburn, 3-0

EUREKA – The Eureka women's soccer team opened St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 3-0 win over Blackburn on Tuesday afternoon.

After grabbing the lead in the 29th minute on a goal by Isabella Tolentino (Mendota, Ill./Mendota), the Red Devils struck twice in a seven-minute span late to secure a three-goal victory.

The win was Eureka's fifth straight over Blackburn dating back to spring 2021 – and it moved the team to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in SLIAC play.

The Red Devils saw three players reach the back of the net – two for the first time in their collegiate career.

Tolentino, a freshman, put the maroon and gold on the board after classmate Ellie Livengood (Washington, Ill./Washington) sent a free kick from seven yards into Eureka's defense half to the Red Devils' defensive third. It bounced on the turf as both teams turned to chase it down.

Tolentino got to it first and chipped it over the keeper's head from the right side of the 18-year box, officially recording her first goal of her career.

The Red Devils had their share of looks, but the team didn't capitalize until the 73rd minute when freshman Jenna Kinney (Washington, Ill./Washington) scored on an assist by Elly Maier (Clinton, Ill./Clinton). It happened when the Red Devils worked the ball up from the left side.

Maier, a junior newcomer to the program, won the ball in space and played a perfectly-timed ball up to her forward, who took a couple of quick dribbles and knocked it into the net from the left side of the top of the 18. It was Kinney's second goal of the season following her match-winner at Defiance in the first weekend of the season.

Less than seven minutes later, the Red Devils were celebrating again. The home team's third and final goal came on another set piece. This time, Livengood's attempt from 32 yards out sailed over the keeper's head and into the net for her first career goal, too.

Livengood and fellow center backs Sydney Gabbard (Stilesville, Ind./Cascade) and Abby Mitchell (Peoria, Ill./Illinois Valley Central) helped goalkeeper Lizzie Brooksher (Saint Charles, Mo./Saint Charles) secure the clean sheet. Brooksher notched seven saves in the win.

Eureka (2-1, 1-0 SLIAC) will next host SLIAC foe Westminster (2-2, 1-0 SLIAC) at McKinzie Field on Friday at 5 p.m.