University of Louisville
RUTGERS
Gjini Lifts Cards in 3-0 Blanking of Rutgers
October 11, 2007 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 11, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Monique Gjini scored two second half goals to vault the University of Louisville to a 3-0 win over Rutgers in front of a national television audience Thursday night at Cardinal Park.
"I was really pleased how we held our composure, because Rutgers really came out of the gate hard," said Head Coach Karen Ferguson.
"At the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half we were able to control play."
Rutgers pressured the Cardinals (9-3-1, 4-2-0 BIG EAST) early, as Kristen Edmonds tested Cardinal keeper Joanna Haig at 11:41. Not only did Haig make the save, but her subsequent punt sailed downfield to Shannon Smyth, who gathered the kick and launched her own shot on goal, that was stopped by Rutgers keeper Erin Guthrie.
The Scarlet Knights (6-6-2, 1-3-2 BIG EAST) forced Haig to make two saves in the first half.
Haig controlled the 18 in the first half contesting a number of balls that were served into the box.
Guthrie finished the half with four saves after Gjini and Lindsay Boling each put shots on net in the waning minutes of the half.
A little under five minutes into the second half, freshman Caitlin Rehder made a run in on the left flank into the box and squared a pass across the six to a streaking Gjini who broke the scoreless tie with her second goal of the season.
The Cardinals countered a failed corner by the Knights for the second goal of the game.
Freshman Kelsey Hunyadi took possession of a loose ball and worked past a defender outside the 18 before unleashing a rocket for her fourth goal of the season and a 2-0 Cardinal lead in the 70th minute.
Gjini sealed the match in the 84th minute with her second of the match and third of the season.
After a foul in the attacking third set up a free kick, senior Laura Walker served it in front of the net where Smyth knocked it to the feet of Gjini, who ripped a volley into the back of the net to punctuate the win.
The Cards dominated the second half, outshooting the Knights 9-5, for a 17-11 advantage in the match.
Haig tied her own single season record for shutouts, a record she shares with Meredith Miller, posting her eighth of the year in 13 starts. Her 16 career shutouts also equals the school record held by Miller. The Cardinal defense has allowed just six goals in 13 games this season.
Gjini vaulted into third on the U of L career scoring list with 62 points, behind former teammate Jamie Craft (99) and Jennifer Coe (113).
Louisville, which stands alone in second place in the National Division, will host third place Seton Hall on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Cardinal Park.
