Each of the past two seasons, the EMU soccer women have claimed just three wins.  This year, it took all of three games to reach the same plateau.  The Royals toppled Ferrum by a final of 2-0 in their home opener Saturday afternoon to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Ferrum had gone 2-0 against other ODAC teams this fall, coming in with wins over Randolph and Hollins.  But Eastern Mennonite jumped in front early, as freshman Cayla Garner (Clear Spring, Md./Clear Spring) headed in a corner in the 17th minute.  Morgan Hill (Martinsville, Va./Carlisle) picked up her third assist on the play.

The Panthers made a push in the final minutes of the half, but keeper Becca Borg (Gig Harbor, Wash./Peninsula) made a pair of saves to preserve the lead at the intermission.

In the 56th minute, the Royals got their breathing room.  Emma Beachy (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) found a loose ball at the top of the box and lined up a shot for the goal, making it 2-0.  The defense took over from there, and Borg added one more save to lock up EMU's second consecutive shutout.

The Royals had a 7-5 edge in shots, including 4-3 in shots on goal.

The women have one more non-conference game before ODAC action opens.  They play at Cairn on Tuesday, before hosting Washington and Lee next week Saturday.