Sept. 10, 2006
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Purdue (6-1-1) swept its western weekend series Sunday with a 1-0 win over New Mexico (3-3). For the second straight match, it was Parrissa Eyorokon who provided the game-winner.
Sunday's win was historic on several fronts. As a team, the Boilermakers set a program record with their sixth-consectuive shutout, breaking the previous record of five set in 2003. The victory also tied a program record from 2002 for the longest unbeaten streak (six).
Lauren Mason, who has five shutouts during this streak, now has 18 for her career, breaking Jocelyn Cavalier's varsity record of 17.
Eyorokon scored the game-winner in the 21st minute, receiving assists from Jill Sarbaugh and Jessica Okoroafo. Sarbaugh fed the ball into the six-yard box, where Okoroafo headed it down in front of Eyorokon. The West Chester, Ohio, native watched the ball bounce once before blasting it across the face of the net in the right side.
Eyorokon and Okoroafo are tied for the team lead with eight points. Both have scored three goals and provided two assists.
Statistically speaking, Sunday's match was similar to Friday's at Oklahoma. Both opponents were presented numerous chances to score from deep in their own end via throw-ins, free and corner kicks; however, the Boilermaker defense tightened up and let nothing through.
"This wasn't a pretty match, but we did what we had to do defensively," said head coach Rob Klatte. "We won aerial duels, first and second balls and didn't let them take any quality shots."
New Mexico outshot Purdue, 13 to 11, and both teams combined to put six shots on goal. The Lobos took six corner kicks, three in each half, while the Boilermakers received two opportunites from the corner.
The Boilermakers will be challenged to extend their unbeaten streak Friday when they play host to the No. 14 Utah Utes. Should Mason play ten minutes against Utah, she will become the Boilermakers' all-time leader in minutes played.
The match kicks off at 5 p.m. EST and can be heard locally on 1410 WLAS-AM and over the web at purduesports.com.
Klatte said Purdue will take it easy this week in preparation for Utah, a club it lost to, 2-1, last season in Salt Lake City.
"We're going to rest the team for about 72 hours and not practice until Wednesday," said Klatte. "We'll have no hard practices, just some light contact so we can recover to full strength."