Maggie CrouchOle Miss soccer defeated Lamar University with a final score of 3-0, leading to its third shutout of the season.
Lightning was spotted five minutes into the first half, causing a two-hour delay.
Coming off a draw against No. 23 Michigan on Friday night, head coach Matt Mott was nervous about getting the team well-rested before Sunday’s game, but that didn’t seem to be an issue, as the Rebels dominated after kickoff and throughout the rest of the game.
“It’s always hard playing Sunday afternoon because it’s such a quick turnaround from Friday,” Mott said. “I’m happy we gutted out the win.”
Ole Miss controlled the game offensively from the beginning, shooting a total of nine times in the first half and 14 times in the second half, continuing the theme of out-shooting its opponent like it did Friday night against Michigan.
When the Lamar Cardinals did make it anywhere near the Rebel defense, Ole Miss was sure to get the ball out as quickly as possible, limiting the Cardinals to take few shots. In the first half alone, Lamar only had two shots total, followed by four in the second half.
And when the Cardinals did make it near the box, goalkeeper Marnie Merritt was right there to block it with several saves throughout the game.
“She’s excellent,” Mott said. “I think she’s one of the best goalkeepers in the country, so she’s just got to keep it rolling.”
With 11 minutes left in the first half, the ball finally found the net for sophomore Grace Waugh. Assisted by freshman Channing Foster, Waugh crossed the ball, and it gracefully met the back left corner of the net. This was her first goal of the season and as a Rebel. Besides that, the first half didn’t have a lot of action.
“In the first half, we were playing pretty slow for a while,” Foster said. “Once we came back in the second half, we stepped up our game and started playing the way we know how to play.”
Foster and the rest of the team certainly did step up. Six minutes into the second half, Foster’s own ball met the net after a breakaway for a goal to secure the lead for the Rebels. This was her fourth goal of the season.
Again with 11 minutes left in the half, Ole Miss scored for a third time. Freshman Molly Martin, with the assist from junior Mary Kate Smith, headed the ball into the back right corner, marking her first goal wearing an Ole Miss jersey and ensuring a win for the Rebels.
Ole Miss will continue its home game series at 7 p.m. next Friday night against the High Point University Panthers, followed by a game on the road against the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at 4 p.m. Sunday, but the Rebels are hopeful for another successful weekend.
“We approach every game the same way,” Foster said. “We come out ready to play, no matter what the other team’s jersey says. We know we’re Ole Miss, and we’re going to give it our very best record.”
