MONTGOMERY, Ill.  Methodist's women's soccer team put together a dominant performance Sunday in its 5-0 non-conference win over Illinois College at neutral-site Aurora (Ill.) University.

It took less than a minute for the Monarchs to tally what would prove to be the game-winning goal as the Lady Blues conceded a foul in the box and Sierra Swasey converted the penalty kick opportunity.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist 5 – Illinois College 0
Records: Methodist 2-0 overall, Illinois 0-2
Event: Sixth Annual Chelsea Lloyd Memorial Classic
Location: Spartan Stadium, Aurora University, Montgomery, Illinois

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Immediate pressure off the opening kickoff put Methodist in possession deep in the left corner of its offensive third. A foul in the box allowed Sierra Swasey to step up to the ball at the 12-yard mark where she calmly slotted a shot into the back of the goal just 35 seconds into the contest.
• Capri Clark pushed the lead to two by getting off consecutive shots on goal in the 17th minute. The first was saved by the Illinois keeper but only by a diving deflection, leaving Clark with a wide-open frame once she corralled the rebound.
• The Monarchs weren't able to add another marker over the remainder of the opening 45 minutes of action, but it wasn't for lack of trying. They piled up a 21-5 shots advantage while earning five corner kick chances against none by the Lady Blues.
• The domination continued in the second half, but this time with finishing touches. Methodist scored three times in a three-minute span. Miranda Cowardin mirrored Clark's goal by collecting a rebound off her own shot, a penalty kick opportunity, for an easy score; Bella Nunu scored off an assist from Clark; and Cheyenne Ferrin put one away from the top of the box off a feed from Anna Rose Sink.
• In total, Methodist rang up a 43-6 advantage in shots and a 28-6 edge in shots on goal -- not including two shots that hit the crossbar (statistically, not 'shots on goal').
• Starting goalkeeper Maggie Hunt wasn't just an onlooker in the game, despite Methodist's domination of possession. She came up with six saves to earn the win, though only two were dangerous scoring chances by the Lady Blues. Hunt played more than 71 minutes before giving way to Catie Gaughan for the rest of the contest. The pair notched a combined shutout for the second consecutive game.

BEYOND THE STATS

• Swasey's goal was just the second of her career.
• Hunt's victory in goal is the second of her career.
• Ferrin's marker was the first of her career.
• Nunu, a transfer from University of Mount Olive, scored her first goal for Methodist in the win.

LADY BLUES BLUES

• Under siege from nearly the opening whistle, Illinois goalie Charlotte Crofton kept her team in the contest by coming up with what is likely a career-high 18 saves.
• Backup keeper Lindsey Kormelink was between the pipes for the final 34 minutes, surrendering three goals while coming up with five saves.
• Illinois lost its season-opening game Friday at the Classic, falling to Babson College by the same 5-0 score.

UP NEXT

• Methodist welcomes Barton College to the Monarch Soccerplex for a 7 p.m. non-conference game Tuesday.
• Illinois entertains Blackburn College Wednesday night in the Lady Blues' home opener.