No. 23 Pirates Shut Out Lander, 3-0, In PBC Opener

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 23-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women's soccer squad opened up the Peach Belt Conference slate with a 3-0 victory over Lander on Saturday afternoon at AT&T Field.

Lander (2-1-1) came into the match having not been scored upon in its three matches in the 2009 season, but freshman Morgan Mitchell ended that streak with a goal in the 29th minute, from a Kayley Ralton service and a Lianne Stricklen pass, beating keeper Chelsea Beetch and putting the Pirates up, 1-0.

It would stay a one-goal match until halftime as the Pirates built a 9-5 edge in shots, while Beetch made three saves in the first half.

In the second half, senior Kristin Burton tallied her PBC-leading seventh goal of the season, off of an assist by Amber Raney, in the 53rd minute to put the Pirates up, 2-0. The goal was her 71st of her career as she inches closer to the all-time PBC record of 83, and it also is the third straight match in which she has found the back of the net.

The Pirates finished the scoring in the 77th minute when a cross from Burton found Emily Cattanach in front of the net, and Cattanach buried the shot for a 3-0 lead - her second goal of the season.

Lander's best opportunity to score came in the 67th minute when Casi Jones' point-blank shot was turned away by Pirate keeper Tracey Mitchell. Mitchell made three saves in 77 minutes of action for AASU, while Beetch finished the match with seven saves.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, September 16, with a 4:00 p.m. match at Wingate.