HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Sophomore defender Erin Casey (Hatfield, Pa./Gwynedd Mercy Academy) scored on a corner kick in the eighth minute as The University of Scranton women’s soccer team extended its winning streak to seven with a 1-0 victory at Juniata in the Landmark Conference opener for both teams on Saturday at Winton Hill Field.

The goal was the first of the season and second of her career for Casey. She took a perfect feed on the corner kick from freshman midfielder Kelly Egan (Essex Falls, N.J./West Essex Senior) and found the back of the net to put Scranton (7-2, 1-0 Landmark) ahead just 7:54 into the match.

Casey’s goal came on Scranton’s only shot of the first half, but it was the only shot of the game that mattered. Juniata (7-2, 0-1 Landmark) outshot the Royals, 11-8, for the game. Scranton held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

Senior goalkeeper Kelsy McAnelly (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) made four saves for her second shutout of the season and 26th of her career. It was also her 30th career victory in goal.

Scranton has now gone 24 straight matches against Landmark Conference foes without a loss, going 22-0-2 during that span. The Royals have not allowed a goal to a Landmark foe in their last 10 matches, dating back to late in the 2011 season. Their last loss to a conference opponent came at Catholic in the 2009 conference semifinals, a 3-2 defeat. Since joining the Landmark Conference in 2007, Scranton is 36-7-3 against conference opponents.

The seven-match winning streak matches the longest for Scranton since the Royals won 17 straight in 2003 en route to a 22-1-1 season and pair of victories in the NCAA Tournament. Scranton also won seven straight in 2009 and 2010.

Scranton is back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 2, when the Royals host Wilkes at 7 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.

--ROYALS--