Sept. 14, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - By David Brienza Purdue sports information student assistant
No. 22 Purdue won its fifth-straight game Friday, ‎defeating the Morehead State Eagles 3-0 at the Varsity Soccer Complex. The ‎Boilermakers received two goals from senior forward Parrissa Eyorokon and one ‎from midfielder Shauna Stapleton, who tied Purdue's ‎consecutive-game goal-scoring record.‎
The victory improved Purdue's overall record to 5-1-1 while Morehead State ‎dropped to 1-2.‎
Eyorokon got things started for the Boilermakers in the 11th minute, scoring on a ‎breakaway down the middle of the field that proved to be the game-winner.
After ‎taking a pass from junior forward Jessica Okoroafo at the top of the 18 yard box, ‎Eyorokon fended off a Morehead State defender and slipped a shot past Eagle ‎goalkeeper Leslie King from eight yards out. ‎
Purdue's second goal was a beautifully placed 25-yard right-footed strike that ‎Stapleton, this week's NSCAA National Player of the Week, sent into the top corner. Okoroafo was credited with her second assist of the ‎game on Stapleton's historic goal.‎
Stapleton's score was her fourth in as many games, which tied a program record ‎originally set by Jennie Moppert in 2000. Only a freshman, Moppert netted goals ‎in four-consecutive matches against Illinois State, West Virginia, Valparaiso and ‎Nebraska. ‎
Stapleton's goal also served as the 300th in program history and gave her first ‎place among the Big Ten scoring leaders with 12 points. The Springfield, Ohio, ‎native is the first conference player this season to break the double-digit point barrier.‎
Morehead State put a scare into the crowd in the 40th minute as Jenny Bradfisch ‎experienced some trouble handling a Hillary Johnson shot taken from 40 yards ‎deep. Bradfisch blocked Johnson's shot a step ahead of the goalline but couldn't ‎maintain her grip as the ball rolled down to the ground. Luckily, the ball did not ‎escape Bradfisch's reach and she was able to recover it in time to preserve the ‎Boilermakers' third-consecutive shutout. ‎
The defense also was bolstered by the return of Zarinah Blockton, who helped ‎limit the Eagles to only two shots on goal. A majority of Morehead State's 11 ‎shots were taken from well outside the 18 yard box. ‎
Klatte was satisfied with the result, but thinks the team needs to ramp up its level ‎of intensity.‎
‎"Morehead State gave us an intense battle and never took its foot off the pedal," ‎said Klatte. "And although we scored and didn't allow them many dangerous ‎opportunities, we have to do a better job of dictating the game's pace - that's ‎our responsibility. From top to bottom in this lineup, we all have to find another gear ‎and play to a higher standard for all 90 minutes." ‎
Purdue scored their third and final goal off of a corner kick taken by Eyorokon 13 ‎minutes into the second half. Eyorokon hooked her corner kick from the right side ‎directly into the net for her third score of the season. ‎
The Boilermakers utilized their depth following Eyorokon's insurance goal. A total of ‎‎22 players were able to split minutes.‎
‎"It's essential to receive quality minutes from various players, all of who bring a ‎range of strengths to the field," said Klatte. "(Kate) Mills and (Amy) Burrell did a ‎great job of defending up top along with (Katie) Seeger. They did a good job ‎staying on the same page considering they haven't trained much or at all ‎together."‎
Purdue next faces Bowling Green State University Sunday at 1 p.m. for game ‎three of its seven-match homestand. ‎
Sunday's match has been designated as "Salute Our Heroes Day" at the Varsity ‎Soccer Complex. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $2 for students; ‎however, free admission will be given to anyone who donates a soccer ball or ‎shows a Military ID/proof of service.‎
The donated soccer balls are being collected for Operation Soccer Chopper, ‎which drops all sorts of volleyballs and soccer balls to the children of ‎Afghanistan.‎
Mini-American flags will be distributed to all in attendance.‎
The Boilermakers' game-worn red, white and blue uniforms will be auctioned off ‎following the match. Proceeds raised from the auction will be donated to the ‎Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, which is a non-partisan 501(c) (3) ‎organization committed to helping wounded and disabled War on Terror veterans ‎rebuild their lives and homes.‎
Purdue ROTC will have their color guard present for the playing of the Star ‎Spangled Banner. The national anthem will be followed by a moment of silence ‎and the playing of Taps.‎
‎Notes
‎ Parrissa Eyorokon's two-goal game was the second of her career; she last scored ‎two in a match against Utah on Sept. 15, 2006 ... there have been 25 two-goal ‎games in Purdue history ... Jessica Okoroafo posted the first multi-assist game of ‎her career; she is the 15th player in Boilermaker history to accomplish this feat ... ‎no Purdue player has ever dished out three assists in a game ... Carianne Betts ‎played a season high 11:31 in goal ... freshman Jessica Stellhorn started her first ‎game at defensive midfield ... Zarinah Blockton returned to the field and started ‎at center back following a one-game suspension for being red carded vs. ‎Portland.‎