Pioneer women's soccer team wins battle of MWC unbeatens

The Grinnell College women's soccer team separated itself from the pack by rolling past St. Norbert College 4-2 in a battle of squads that entered Saturday's contest unbeaten in the Midwest Conference. The Pioneers, who extended their winning streak to 10 games with the home victory, are now 4-0 in the MWC and 11-1 in all contests. St. Norbert dipped to 4-1 in the league and 7-6 overall. The teams battled to a scoreless tie until the 27th minute when Gabi Maldonado-Bell '09 (pictured) scored an unassisted goal to give the Pioneers a lead they would never relinquish. It was her third goal of the season An own goal by St. Norbert boosted Grinnell ahead 2-0 in the 32nd minute, and Sydney Stoker '09 found the back of the net in the 38th minute to make it 3-0 at halftime. Stoker now has four goals in 2008. St. Norbert made things interesting in the second half, as Katherine Larson scored in the 67th minute and Jessica Schadrie in the 76th minute to bring the visitors within 3-2. But Katherine Ni '09 sealed the deal with a goal - her sixth of the year - off Miki Nakamura's 10 assist in the 87th minute to account for the final score. Grinnell held a 19-17 lead in shots, with Kim Durinick '09 and Stoker taking four each and Nakamura three. Laura McElroy '11 played the entire game at keeper for the Pioneers and recorded nine saves. Grinnell remains at home Sunday to take on Lawrence University. Game time is 11 a.m.