FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score

Sep. 1, 2009-- Laura Petersen struck twice as the North Central College women's soccer team opened the lid on the 2009 season with a 4-0 victory over Benedictine University in a non-conference game at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

Shannon Finucane found the back of the net in the 32nd minute to kick off the scoring while Petersen scored her first goal of the night a mere two minutes later, heading in a goal off a Finucane assist to give the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break.

Michelle Lazowski scored her first career goal in the 55th minute off a Petersen assist to push the score to 3-0 while Petersen's second goal concluded the scoring in the 88th minute.

Elise Manzie recorded the complete game shutout in goal, stopping six shots on the night while her counterpart Melissa Hernandez was saddled with the loss, allowing four goals and recording nine saves.

North Central out-shot Benedictine by a two-to-one margin, rattling off 18 shots to Benedictine's nine. The Cardinals have now outscored the Eagles 15-0 in their last four meetings, including a 2-0 victory in last season's opener in Lisle, Ill.

With the win, the Cardinals improve to 1-0 on the season while the Eagles fall to 0-1. North Central returns to the pitch on Thursday, September 3 for a non-conference tilt at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium against Maranatha Baptist Bible College (Wis.) with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.