Langhorne, PA – The Cairn women's soccer team opened the 2016 season with a 3-0 victory over the Bryn Athyn Lions on Thursday. The Highlanders jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal off the foot of sophomore
Payton Emerick in just the fourth minute. The Highlanders tacked on two more goals after the intermission en route to a 3-0 season-opening victory.
Cairn connected early in the first-half with a tally from Emerick. Payton picked up a loose ball on the right-side of the six took one touch and lofted a shot over the keeper's
outstretched arms to put Cairn on the board. After taking an early lead, the field opened up for the Highlanders. Through the remainder of the first-half, the Highlanders dominated possession and led the Lions 16-0 in shots at the half.
Immediately after the break, the Lions had their best chances of the contest. In the first 90 seconds of the second-half, the Lions ripped two shot, one of which was on frame, but
Mackenzie Paugh handled the attempt on goal for her first save of the season. The save was one of two on the afternoon for Paugh - a stat that is of note as Paugh spent 42 minutes of the contest in the field.
Meghan Wilson played the rest of the match between the pipes, making three saves of her own -- Wilson is the first goalie other than Paugh to step in goal for the Highlanders since the 2013 season.
As mentioned, the Highlanders connected for two goals in a two-minute stretch in the 57th and 58th minute to really distance themselves from the Lions.
Katie Ruitto connected in the 57th minute with a rip from the top of the box for her first career goal.
Hannah Morrison fed Ruitto from the right-side before her strike beat the keeper in the top-left corner of the goal.
Just moments later
Meghan Wilson hit a beautiful chip that arched over the keeper and safely into the back of the net. Wilson's goal marked her 11th-straight game with at least one tally. She has now scored in 15 of her last 16 games.
The Lions had a few late chances, but they were turned away by some unconvential goalkeeping by Wilson to keep a clean sheet for the Highlanders. The shutout is the first by the Highlanders since a 5-0 shutout of Cedar Crest on Oct. 20, 2015.
The Highlanders next take the field at Wesley College on Saturday. Game time slated for 7:00 p.m.
