ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Coach Scott Mejia's Augustana soccer program celebrated Senior Day Sunday with a 3-0 victory over St. Mary's (Ind.) at a soggy Thorson-Lucken Field. The Vikings remained unbeaten at 5-0-2, while the Belles fell to 5-4 on the season. Augustana begins CCIW play with a 1:00 p.m. match at North Park on Saturday, September 28.
 
The hosts took the lead in the 23rd minute. Karissa Gottardo's (Jacobs HS, Algonquin, Ill.) shot hit the crossbar, but freshman Maeve Sheridan (Mother McAuley HS, Chicago, Ill.) was there to follow up for her team-leading fifth goal of the year. Gottardo was credited with her second assist on the play.
 
The first half would end with the Vikings on top 1-0. They outshot St. Mary's 8-3 in the first 45 minutes, putting three on goal to one for the Belles. Augustana also took the only corner of the period.
 
In rainy conditions, Mejia's bunch got the all-important insurance goal in minute 53. Junior Cameron Kekelik (Munster HS, Munster, Ind.) fed Lauren Muzzalupo (St. Charles North HS, St. Charles, Ill.) with a short pass and the senior let go with a blast from 35 yards that sailed over Belle keeper Kam Lewkowski and just under the crossbar to make it 2-0.
 
In the final minute, junior Grace Sigler (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) took advantage of a St. Mary's defensive misplay to tally the match's final goal. It was her fifth of the season, tying Sheridan for the team lead.
 
Getting her first start in goal, freshman Anjelica Ortiz (Hononegah HS, South Beloit, Ill.) recorded two saves in the shutout win. Lewkowski stopped four Viking shots.
 
The final statistics showed a 13-7 advantage in shots for Augustana, including 7-2 in shots on goal. The Vikings took a half-dozen corners to one for the Belles and each side was whistled for nine fouls and one caution.
 
In addition to Muzzalupo, six other Vikings were honored Sunday. Seniors Anna Fank (Wheaton Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, Ill.), Cora Jacobsen (Palatine HS, Palatine, Ill.), Jenna Noesen (Bartlett HS, Bartlett, Ill.), Hannah Rossi (Downers Grove South HS, Woodridge, Ill.) and Allison Harvey (Wheaton Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, Ill.) were also recognized. Joining them was Sigler, who is playing her final season at Augustana before moving on to optometry school.