MIDLAND, Michigan - The Ohio Dominican women's soccer team put an emphatic stamp on its second year of competition at the Division II level as the Panthers shutout host Northwood (Mich.) 4-0 in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon to claim the 2011 GLIAC South Division title. 

ODU, now 8-1-1 in its last 10 games with program record-tying eighth straight win, finishes the regular season at 10-6-2 overall and 8-4-2 in the GLIAC and becomes the school's first athletic team to earn a conference/division title at the Division II level. 

The Panthers put together an efficient offensive attack with 11 of their 17 shots on goal, including scores from four different players. Freshman Jordan Mazzi (Galena, OH) opened the scoring at the 35:07 mark of the first half with her third goal of the year and the eventual game-winner from 15 yards out off a pass from freshman Tonya Frasik (Lebanon, OH). Just 1:08 after the break, junior Jennifer Holton (Johnstown, OH) headed in a cross by freshman Emily Spencer (Gibsonia, PA) to put ODU up 2-0 with her team-leading seventh score.

In the 74th minute, senior Sierra Patterson (Brecksville, OH) put together a long run down the middle of the field past several defenders and capped it off with her sixth score of the year and fifth goal in the last six contests. 

Moments later at the 76:59 mark, Patterson found a wide open Olivia Scalzitti (Fr./Brecksville, OH) with a cross into the box where she tapped it in for her second score this season and the game's final margin. 

The Panther defense continued its impressive run of late, holding the Timberwolves to just 10 shots and five shots on target for its ninth shutout and seventh over the last eight outings. After moving into the NCAA Division II record books on Friday for consecutive scoreless minutes, freshman keeper Laura Clark (Lapeer, MI) tied the ODU single-season record for shutouts with eight, while running her record to 10-5-2. The 10 wins are tied for fourth most by a goalie in a single season in program history.

"I could not be more proud of the players for their efforts this season," said third-year head coach, Jonathan Meade. "The trust and belief they exhibited in each other, even in the most difficult times, has been amazing. They never gave up and just kept battling to become better each day. It has been very special for me to be a part of this team."

With a first round bye and the overall second seed in the GLIAC Tournament, the Panthers return to the pitch this Friday, Nov. 4 in Allendale, Michigan as they take on the winner of Ashland and Ferris State (Mich.) at 4:30 p.m. in the first semi-final.  Host and top-seeded Grand Valley State takes on the winner of Northern Michigan and Tiffin in the second semi-final. 

Contact: Bryan Desch
deschb@ohiodominican.edu