Aug. 29, 2008
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Back-to-back goals by freshman Shannon Van Riper highlighted a four-goal second half for St. Bonaventure as it defeated Cleveland State 4-1 on Friday evening at McGraw-Jennings Field for its first win of the season.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, the Bonnies dominated play in the second half to even their record at 1-1 on the young season. The Brown and White outshot the Vikings 14-1 in the final frame and didn't forfeit a corner kick all game.
After starting the season opener on defense, Van Riper made the switch to forward, coming off the bench to register her first two collegiate goals on five shots, including four on goal. Also getting into the goal-scoring act was last year's leading goal scorer Marilyn Wargo and classmate Anna Cunningham.
A sluggish first half saw Cleveland State (0-2) outshoot St. Bonaventure, 6-4, as the visitors owned the majority of the scoring chances. Sophomore goal keeper Nicole Markert kept the Vikings off the scoreboard with three stops, highlighted by a diving save in the 31st minute.
Despite the slow start, the Bonnies escaped without allowing a goal and took their first lead of the season in the last tics of the 48th minute as Hannah Lapp found Wargo on a free kick just outside of the Viking goal box. Wargo pushed her way to the middle and took the pass that came from the right side of the field and headed into the back of the net.
Momentum was short-lived, though, as Cleveland State answered right back three minutes later with a header goal of its own by Natalie Daniels to tie the score at 1-1.
St. Bonaventure gained the lead for good in the 62nd minute as Van Riper began to take over the game. After failing to convert on a couple scoring chances, Van Riper got a break as a miss-touch by the Cleveland State keeper bounced right to her for the go-ahead goal.
Van Riper struck again in the 73rd minute, this time off of a perfectly placed pass by freshman Tori Burchett for a two-goal advantage, at 3-1. Burchett worked her way through the Viking defense and then found Van Riper right in front of the goal.
St. Bonaventure added a late goal at the 86:26 mark as Cunningham gathered a loose ball just outside the goal box on the left and worked her way to the front for the 1 v 1 goal. The tally is Cunningham's second of the season.
For the game, the Bonnies owned a 18-7 edge in shots thanks to the second half. Cleveland State committed 14 fouls to the Brown and White's six.
St. Bonaventure will back in action on Sunday as it hits the road for the first time this season. The Bonnies will take on Northeast Conference (NEC) member Quinnipiac at 1 p.m.
