Soccer

MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary College soccer team took control of its matchup against Rockford College early and often Saturday at Mount Mary, opening the game with four straight goals in a 6-2 victory.

Juniors Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) and Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.) combined to push the Blue Angels ahead 4-0, likely breaking school scoring records in the process. Perera's late goal in the second half gave her seven on the season, tying her teammate with stellar offensive prowess through just four games.

"Having two players who are very strong, fast goal-scorers really helps," Shokatz said. "The two of them really change what the defense has to do. It's hard to key on just one because if you do, the other makes you pay."

Ristow took just seven minutes to beat Rockford's defense, unintentionally taking out its starting goalkeeper in the process. The keeper collided with Ristow's knee after the shot was kicked and spent several minutes being tended to by the Mount Mary training staff.

Yet the break in action didn't seem to affect the Blue Angels, who continued to pressure the Regents. Six minutes later, Perera added a goal on a breakaway up the left side, and a second goal at the 20-minute mark on a cross from Ristow to take command of the game.

"We wanted to come out and play hard right away after losing our last two matches, and we were able to do that," head coach Joe Shokatz said. "We had a few chances early and Emily was able to get a breakaway and finish on a strong challenge by their keeper to give us the early lead."

Rockford was able to score late in the first half to trail 4-1 at the break and took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Blue Angels to score again, but Mount Mary held the Regents offense in check for much of the game, playing good balls ahead to its very potent offense.

Senior defender Ashley Leverenz (Mauston, Wis.) also notched her first-ever collegiate goal Saturday, beating the goalkeeper on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.

"I'm really pleased with our effort and our ability to improve each game," Shokatz said. "[We're] looking forward to a good week of practice and having our whole roster available for our next match on Friday. We have yet to have our full complement of players and I really think having a few subs will help the girls keep their intensity for the whole game."

Mount Mary will play its fourth home game this Friday, hosting Spalding University in a 4 p.m. matchup. Based out of Louisville, Ky., the Eagles will be making a brief Wisconsin tour, playing nearby Maranatha Baptist Bible College Thursday before traveling eastward to take on the Blue Angels Friday afternoon.