CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's soccer team scored early and held on for its first shutout of the year, a 3-0 victory over East Central Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.
 
Alexis Pryor tallied the eventual game winner in the 17th minute, while Jasmine Guerra and Paige Pontarolo, who also posted an assist, tallied late insurance makers. Lexi Ellingsen added two assists as the Hillcats remain unbeaten in 2016 behind a perfect homestand.
 
Pryor, a senior from Las Vegas, Nevada notched her first goal of the season as RSU pressed offensively from the early going and finally broke through 16:04 into the match. Pontarolo flicked a header towards the back corner where Pryor chipped a shot over the ECU keeper for a 1-0 lead. The opening goal came after Marlaina Trahant found space behind the Tigers' defense early as the sophomore gave RSU its first two chances on frame eight minutes into the match.
 
The 1-0 advantage held until the halftime break, despite being out-shot by an 8-4 margin. The Hillcats came out of the intermission making sure they maintained the margin as the Tigers ramped up the intensity, but could not connect for the equalizer as RSU thwarted any opportunity moving forward.
 
RSU again took advantage off set pieces as they did in the season opener as Addy Pritchard nearly snuck in an insurance tally for the home side in the 67th minute as her header was right on target.
 
Guerra added her second goal in as many appearances for the navy and red curling another free kick home in the 80th minute. This time her shot from 20 yards went over the top of the wall and inside the near post for a 2-0 edge to RSU. Pontarolo made it 3-0 less than two minutes later putting a shot into an open goal after a misplay by the keeper securing the home win.
 
Tayler Stover earned the shutout in goal for the Hillcats making five saves, while ECU's Chloe Hull suffered the loss allowing three goals with five saves.
 
RSU (2-0 overall) have now started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2010 heading into its opening road test of the campaign. The Hillcats head to Wichita, Kansas for their first Heartland Conference matchup against Newman Sept. 8 at 5 p.m.