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Miriam Taylor Pursuing NJCAA Title

College College Women

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Miriam Taylor, career scoring leader for the Camdenton Lakers, is continuing her career at Lewis & Clark CC in Godfrey IL. The Trailblazers visited St Louis CC in what could well be a preview of the NJCAA District D playoff in November, with the winner advancing to the National Finals. The Trailblazers came away with a 3-0 victory, slightly below their current 5.4 goals per game average in their 10-0 season so far.

PHOTO GALLERY St Louis CC Archers host Lewis & Clark Trailblazers

Lewis & Clark are ranked #10 in the National NJCAA Poll and sport a 10-0 record following Monday’s win. They have defeated five of the six teams in Region 24 by a combined score of 30-3 with three shutouts. That should lead to a top-seed in the Regional playoff in November with the winner advancing to the District D playoff with the Region 16 (Missouri) champions.

Knowing this the teams came out fast on Monday with STLCC getting the better early opportunities, including a shot in the first 30 seconds that required Emily Glenz to react quickly in tipping a ball over the crossbar that was otherwise destined for the back of the net. The attack was spearheaded by Katie Rapisardo who’s pace makes her a significant challenge for defenses from her left midfield position. Three early opportunities but the Archer’s were unable to dent the net and the game settled into a midfield battle.

A significant addition to the Trailblazer’s this year is Katye Skrivan, who transferred to Godfrey after one season at SIU-Edwardsville. The former IWA midfielder is now paired with former Trinity midfielder Jen Eaton who scored the game-winner against Springfield Catholic as a freshman in the State Title game. The two offer the defense and play-making you want. Eaton was the teams scoring leader last year and offers a strong physical presence as well.

Taylor scored the game-winner Monday, created by Skrivan when she won a 50/50 ball in the center circle before taking off on a 30 yard run straight down the middle of the pitch. Just before entering the box she laid the ball off to her right for Michelle Pedersen who drew the defense to the right before sending a square ball to the far side that found Miriam Taylor for a tap-in in the 21st.

It was the 19th goal in ten games for Taylor (Camdenton), the 12th assist in nine games for Pedersen, an international student from Denmark. Pedersen also scored one of her own early in the second half.

The two forwards have combined for 35 goals and 19 assists in this young season and are a key reason why the Trailblazers have earned the early recognition in the national polls. Glenz (Hazelwood Central) now has five shutouts and eight wins and she earned the shutout Tuesday. In addition to the early tip save, she went made two late saves on a shot and the ensuing rebound.

The teams will meet again on October 15th in Godfrey. I’ll keep you up-to-date as Miriam and her teammates continue their run. On a related note, Nicole Howard of the Rolla Bulldogs has indicated she will be joining Lewis & Clark next Fall.