CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte women’s soccer squad won their 20th consecutive match against Atlantic 10 opponents as they defeated the Minutewomen of Massachusetts, 4-0, behind goals from Hailey Beam, Danielle Mayeaux, Kirby Stenard and India Winford. The victory was Charlotte’s third straight 4-0 shutout as they improved their record to 10-2 on the year and 4-0 in A-10 play, while Massachusetts dropped to 3-6-2 and 2-2 in A-10 play.

"Obviously we are proud of the streak especially for our players, team and program because it is such a great accomplishment," head coach John Cullen stated of the 20-match streak. "But as a coach I try to only focus on one game at a time."

The Niners dominated the match by outshooting Massachusetts 24-8 in the match with 16 shots being directed at the goal. Charlotte has now won their last six games by a 22-3 scoring advantage.

"Right now we are doing a great job of creating scoring chances as well as holding teams scoreless on the defensive end," added head coach John Cullen. "We need to keep improving on both ends because it seems as if we are content with scoring four goals every game."

Beam started off the scoring for the 49ers in the 18th minute as she drilled an Oni Bernard cross from the right-side goal line into the near post past UMass goalkeeper Emily Cota. The goal was Beam’s seventh of the season and 33rd of her career, which is only three goals behind Charlotte’s career goal leader Courtney Cook.

"We are really coming into our element right now both on the defensive and offensive end," Beam stated. "Our defense has been spectacular with three straight clean sheets and our offense has been getting great scoring chances and taking advantage of them."

The Niners tacked on another goal, this time coming in the 22nd minute from Mayeaux as she deflected a Whitney Bryant shot past Cota and into the left post. The goal was the first of the season for Mayeaux and ninth of her career.

UMass nearly scored two minutes later from a Sydney Stoll shot, but 49er goalkeeper Lauren Brown made an outstanding leaping save to deflect the ball over the crossbar and only allow a corner kick to UMass.

With a 2-0 lead and momentum in their favor, Charlotte did not let up on the Minutewomen as Stenard added her sixth goal of the season in the 29th minute off a beautiful Whitney Weinraub cross on the right side. Weinraub crossed the ball onto a charging Stenard, who headed the ball into the far post giving Charlotte a three-goal advantage.

The 49ers made several substitutions with the game well in hand as 28 different Niners saw action in the game.

Charlotte’s final goal came in the 68th minute when Winford beat Cota to a Bernard cross and deflected it past the keeper and into the far post to give Charlotte the 4-0 lead. The goal was Winford’s second of the season and Bernard’s second assist of the game and sixth on the year.

Next up for the 49ers is A-10 foe Dayton, who Charlotte defeated 1-0 in the 2008 A-10 Championship game. The Flyers also come into the game 4-0 in conference play, while the game is setting up to be a showdown between the top two teams in the A-10.

"Throughout the season we have been trying to keep our focus away from the Dayton game, but now that is time for that game we will shift all of our focus onto them," added Cullen. "I expect it to be a great game with two teams that are playing at the top of their game right now."