Munster blanks winless Portage in girls soccer

PORTAGE | More often than not, the team that scores first in a soccer match goes on to win.

Times No. 9 Munster got on the board first against No. 7 Portage on Thursday and carried the early momentum to a 2-0 victory.

The Mustangs (1-1) scored at the 13-minute mark as the ball skirted into the left side of the net off a shot by Allyson Goodrich.

"Tonight, we were focused on taking the ball down the line and creating scoring opportunities," Munster coach Valerie Pflum said.

The Mustangs did so, generating 15 shots on goal.

Portage goalie Stephanie Upton made 10 saves during the first half, but the Indians' offense was not able to muster a scoring opportunity on the other end. The Mustangs went up 2-0 on a Sammi Koufos goal with 1:44 left in the first half.

"Ally (Goodrich) kept telling me to take shots," said Koufos, who scored her first goal of the season. "She kept saying, 'Shoot! shoot!' and once I hit it I was so happy that it went in. We lost our first game, so this game helped us build our comeback to keep on winning."

Portage (0-7) had its best chance to score in the 13th minute of the second half when Munster goalkeeper Joanna Pugh bobbled a direct kick. That would be the Indians' only shot on net in the last 40 minutes.

"Our defense took less risks but did a good job at giving the ball," Pflum said. "It was more of a team effort tonight, and it was nice to see them come together this early in the season."