Gregory’s Goal Lifts Purdue Calumet to Shutout Victory Over Cardinal Stritch

PUC-PeregrinsSophomore Rachel Gregory’s goal in the 51st minute proved to be the game winner in the Purdue University Calumet women’s soccer team’s 1-0 league shutout victory over visiting Cardinal Stritch University Saturday at Munster High School.

Purdue Calumet (6-6, 2-3 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) picked up its first shutout of the season with the victory over the Wolves (2-5-3, 1-3-2) of Milwaukee, Wis.

Gregory (Highland, Ind./Highland) made her first career goal count, as she rushed the goal after a ball delivered into the box by senior Rachel Shmagranoff (Munster, Ind./Munster) ricocheted off the Wolves keeper, punching it through in the 51st minute to give the Peregrines a 1-0 lead.

For the next 41 minutes, the Peregrine defense, led by Lauren McElroy (Okeana, Ohio/Harrison), Jennifer Sobierajski (Wheatfield, Ind./Kankakee Valley), Caytin Lewin (Plainfield, Ill./Benet Academy/Joliet) and Isabella Parilli (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East/DuPage), helped starting keeper Erika Brinkman (Kalida, Ohio/Kalida/Owens C.C.) pick up her first career shutout at Purdue Calumet.

Brinkman finished the game with eight saves as Cardinal Stritch outshot the Peregrines, 15-8 and held a 6-2 edge on corner kicks.

Shmagranoff and junior Kirsten Nirtaut (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) and Shmagranoff led the Peregrines in shots with two apiece.

Purdue Calumet returns to action Tuesday when squad travels to Roosevelt University for a CCAC matchup.