The Lady Knights controlled possession from the opening kick and Lily Mueller and Madison Mohney each scored a pair of second half goals to break the match open in a 6-0 win over visiting Maplewood Tuesday. The goals were the first career varsity tallies for Mueller.

“We’ve seen glimpses all year of what we can do,” Elmquist said. “We pulled it all together this game. We were seeing the field and making good passes.”

Despite playing almost the entire first half in the offensive zone, Eisenhower (7-3-2 overall, 3-1-1 Region 3) was only able to cash in twice. Cassie Smelko opened the scoring less than two minutes in. She got the ball just outside the right top corner of the box and fired a shot to the upper corner of the net just under the crossbar.

Leah Peterson doubled the lead 10 minutes later. The Knights brought the ball up the right side and sent a crossing pass to Katie Elmquist in the middle. She fed Peterson on the left side. Peterson took a step back to the middle and twisted one in to the near side.

Eisenhower’s Leah Peterson (16) watches as her shot travels towards the Maplewood net during the first half of their match at Eisenhower High School, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019.

Eisenhower had more chances through the end of the half, but Maplewood (2-9-1, 0-5) keeper Natalie Slagle was able to get in front each time.

With just over 20 minutes to play in the match, Maplewood was called for a hand ball. Rachel Frederick took the indirect and sent it to Caroline Smelko. She tried to put one top shelf, but hit the crossbar. As the ball was coming down, Mueller leapt up, put her head on it and sent it in for her first career varsity goal.

The Eisenhower bench erupted when the ball hit the back of the net.

“I’m so excited for Lily and her header,” Elquist said. “It was huge to get our bench in and playing. We’re super excited to see them put it together.”

Mueller was back for more two minutes later. A scrum in front after a corner kick saw the ball land in front of Mueller’s foot. She took advantage and tucked it in the near side for a 4-0 lead.

Mohney got in on the action 90 seconds later. She got the ball a few yards outside the box and sent a high shot in. Slagle had come out to challenge, but the ball was just out of her reach and bounced in to make it 5-0.

Mohney closed out the scoring with 8:35 to play on a redirect off a corner kick.

“They were all looking for passes, making runs and moving,” Elmquist said.

Eisenhower keeper was largely untested in posting the shutout, though she did have to make a juggling catch with just over three minutes left to preserve it.

The Knights now turn their attention to a pair of District 9 foes. They welcome Kane Friday for senior night, then head to Port Allegany Saturday.