Marina
In their final non-conference match of the season, Emporia State Hornets women’s soccer blanked CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The Hornets controlled much of the action, earned their first shutout win of the campaign, and head into conference play with momentum.
How It Happened
From kickoff, the Hornets took charge. They posted multiple shots and corner kicks early on, setting the tone. In the 14th minute, Ella Favot scored her first career goal, giving Emporia State a 1-0 lead.
Over the rest of the first half, chances were limited; both sides combined for just a few shots, but the Hornets carried their lead into halftime.
After the break, both teams saw opportunity. Abby Bachman forced a save in the 48th minute. CSU-Pueblo nearly equalized when a shot hit the post.
But in the 70th minute, Avery Zimmerman doubled the lead with her first goal of the season (and second of her career). In the final 20 minutes, Emporia State defense locked down tight, allowing just one shot, and secured the shutout.
A Look at the Stats
| Statistic | Emporia State | CSU-Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Total Shots | 12 | 7 |
| Shots on Goal | 6 | 1 |
| First-Half Shots | ~4 | ~3 |
| Goals Scored | 2 | 0 |
| Goal Scorers | Ella Favot (1st career), Avery Zimmerman (1st of season, 2nd career) | — |
| Saves by ESU Goalkeeper | 1 | — |
| Shutout | Yes | No |
- Ella Favot’s goal came in minute 14, marking her first career goal.
- Avery Zimmerman scored in minute 70; that was her first goal of this season, and second overall.
- The ESU goalkeeper registered her first career shutout, making one save.
- In total, the Hornets outshot the ThunderWolves 12-7, with an advantage in shots on goal as well (6-1).
Key Players & Moments
- Ella Favot — broke the deadlock early; her goal gave ESU confidence and space.
- Avery Zimmerman — sealed the victory with the second goal, delivering insurance.
- Abby Bachman — nearly extended the lead early in the second half; created pressure.
- ESU Defense & Goalkeeper — held strong in final stretch; only allowed one shot in last 20 minutes.
Implications & What’s Next
With this 2-0 shutout, Emporia State wraps up their non-conference schedule on a high. They head into MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) play with better cohesion and belief.
Next up: road matches against Newman and Central Oklahoma. The first of those is scheduled for Friday, September 26, with kickoff at 3:00 p.m.
Keywords to Highlight
- Emporia State shutout
- CSU-Pueblo loss
- Hornets first career goal
- MIAA opener
- non-conference finale
These terms will help in search ranking for fans, local news outlets, and college soccer followers.
Emporia State’s performance was a statement in their non-conference finale. With energetic starts, clinical finishing, and a disciplined defense, they earned the first shutout of the season by defeating CSU-Pueblo 2-0.
As they move into tougher conference challenges, this win offers a springboard of confidence. The Hornets will look to carry this sharpness into their upcoming road matches versus Newman and Central Oklahoma.