Pearson Propels Blue Knights Past Toppers 4-0

URBANA, Ohio (October 3, 2012) - The Urbana University women's soccer team made a triumphant return home on Wednesday afternoon against visiting West Liberty University.  Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time in over a month, Urbana's offense exploded in a 4-0 wn over the Hilltoppers.

The Blue Knights struck first on a 27th minute header by junior Brittany Mazzu.  Abby Pearson's corner kick was placed perfectly in front of the Toppers' goal and Mazzu made it count with a header that glanced off a Topper defender before glancing into the back of the net. 
Pearson's fifth assist of the season tied her for fifth all-time at Urbana, but the fifth-year senior wasn't done yet.  In the 58th minute, she broke the tie with former Blue Knight Darby McCullough when she served up another of her signature crosses into the Topper box.  After a deflection, freshman Alyx Brown swooped in to clean up for her first career goal.

Pearson piled on with a pair of goals in the 69th and 72nd minutes.  Fellow senior Samantha Trick assisted on the first, and freshman Sierra Higginbotham helped on the second.  It was the first assist of the season for both Blue Knights.  Pearson's goals were her team-leading third and fourth of the season. 

Urbana keepers Meghan Taucher and Jessica Jones and the Blue Knight defense kept the Toppers at bay the rest of the way to cruise to the 4-0 victory.

Urbana has won 5 of their last 6 to climb back to .500 at 5-5-0 on the season.  West Liberty drops to 2-8-0.  Next season, these two teams will face off as conference foes in the new Mountain East Conference.

On Saturday, Urbana travels to Oakland City University to take on the Mighty Oaks in a non-conference matchup.  Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. [Box Score]