Tasia Murray's two early goals sparked the USF offense to a dominating 4-1 win over the College of St. Mary (Neb.) today at the USF Sanford Sports Complex. Murray's goals marked number 25 and 26 of her career, putting her just three short of the USF all-time goal record (29).
The Cougars put the game's first score on the board in the 11th minute, when Murray split flame defenders and fired a shot past the goalkeeper, to give USF an early 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, Murray got right back to work, scoring on a perfect cross from Desiree Parmenter. Murray's goals give her five for the season.
CSM would answer with a goal at the 19 minute mark, where Abby Zach put a shot on target that appeared to be saved, but then fell through the goal keeper's hand for a score. Zach's goal was the Flames only score of the game.
USF continued to control possession and create scoring opportunities in the second half, where they outshot CSM 12-1. The Cougars received a freebee, when a Flames defender attempting to pass the ball to the goalkeeper, actually kicked it into her own net. Three minutes later USF went back to the Murray-Parmenter connection, this time Parmenter blasted a Murray pass home to give the Cougars a 4-1 lead. Parmenter's goal marks her team high sixth of the season.
The Cougar's finished the game with a 22-5 shot advantage over the Flames as nine USF players recorded a shot.
Kelsey Van Peursem recorded her first win of the 2011 season, turning away 2 CSM shots in her return to goal for Cougars.
Next week, USF has a 6p.m. match up with Bellevue University at the USF Sanford Sports Complex Wednesday night (Oct. 12).
