Sept. 15, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue (7-1-1) extended its unbeaten streak to a varsity record seventh match with a 2-0 win over No. 12 Utah (4-3) Friday afternoon at the Varsity Soccer Complex.
Parrissa Eyorokon provided all the offense for a third-straight match, scoring in the 12th and 18th minutes.
Eyorokon, a native of West Chester, Ohio, has scored the Boilermakers last four goals, including last weekend's game-winners at Oklahoma and New Mexico. She leads the team with five goals, which is a personal season best. Eyorokon scored four as a freshman in 2004 and three in 2005.
"P is extremely efficient in front of the net," said head coach Rob Klatte. "I knew if we could get in their end and create turnovers, the opportunities to score would be there; and the passes she received were right where they needed to be."
Eyorokon's first goal was assisted by Sylvia Forbes, who was the last Boilermaker other than Eyorokon to score a goal (9/5 vs. Loyola-Chicago).
Forbes gained control of the ball deep inside Utah territory and moved it up a few yards before delivering a soft touch pass to Eyorokon. The midfielder proceeded to rip the ball inside the right post past Utah goalkeeper Ashley Mason.
Close to six minutes later, Jessica Okoroafo found Eyorokon after she split two defenders inside the 18-yard line. Ashley Mason left the net to challenge Eyorokon but was no match for her blast to the middle of the net.
On defense, the other Mason - Purdue's Lauren Mason - came through with a season-high eight saves and broke Jocelyn Cavalier's varsity record for minutes played with 5,455:13. Cavalier's old mark of 5,383.57 had stood since 2002. Mason, who has pitched five-straight complete game shutouts, needs seven more saves to break Cavalier's varsity record in that category.
Mason made some fine saves but was mostly helped by her defense, which once again made a habit of clearing balls out of the six-yard box. Utah pressured early in the second half with four solid chances, but many of their deliveries were coming across the face of the goal rather than towards it.
The Utes also threatened to crack the scoreboard during the last 15-minutes, but Purdue's defensive backs were able to play the ball back inside and kill the clock.
Today's win was Purdue's first over a ranked opponent since last Sept. 18, when they beat No. 24 Kansas at home, 3-1. The victory also tied the team's six-match winning streak from 2003.
The Boilermakers will attempt to prolong their winning ways this Sunday, playing host to Toledo at 1 p.m. for LIVESTRONG Day.
For more details on Purdue's LIVESTRONG Day promotion, please visit the women's soccer page at purduesports.com.