MONTEVALLO, Ala – The University of Montevallo women's soccer team played their final non-conference match of the season on Tuesday night at Varsity Field and ran away with a 7-0 victory against Talladega College.
 
Senior MJ Gray had the game-winning goal in her final home game and junior Simone Nelson scored four times for a much-changed starting 11. Judith Perez-Bayon made her second start in goal this season and recorded a second shutout in non-conference play.
 
The Falcons started brightly and were up 3-0 after 15 minutes thanks to the opener from Gray and a brace from Nelson.
 
In a 25-minute second half, Montevallo added four to swell the scoreline to 7-0.
 
Simone Nelson capped off a hat trick and added the final goal. In between, Emilee Blue and Jayde Johnson opened their goal accounts.
 
MJ Gray went off after a 56 minute of influential midfield play during her final outing at Varsity Field.
 
Fellow seniors Sarah Daniels, Taylor Gonzales, Taylor Garrison and Hampton Brinson also saw their final moments at a ground where they have admirably competed.
 
The Falcons dominated possession and put together several good passing moves. They hope this momentum can carry over into the final three games of the season, all Gulf South road clashes, as they search for a GSC Tournament bid in their first year since returning from the Peach Belt.

Montevallo 7, Talladega College 0
October 17, 2017
Varsity Field (Montevallo, Alabama)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
5' | MJ Gray opened the scoring after goalkeeper Arnesia Glenn turned aside the initial effort from Sabrina Amador. The senior turned in the rebound for the opening strike.
 
10' | Simone Nelson scored her first of the game five minutes later to give the Falcons a two-goal advantage. Goalscorer MJ Gray turned provider as she set up the Tallahassee junior for her first of the season.
 
14' | Two quickly became three after Kristen Chance crossed the ball from the right for Nelson's second of the half. The striker's shot went off the keeper's diving glove and in for a third goal.
 
48' | Simone Nelson secured a hat-trick three minutes into the second half. It was her first hat trick for the Falcons.
 
50' | Emilee Blue scored her first ever Montevallo goal after a lovely attacking move. A run down the right side by substitute Jayda Johnson ended with a cross to the left. Alex Zegarra cut back a ball for the onrushing Blue, whose shot from 12 yards out was planted into the bottom right of the net.
 
60' | Jayda Johnson's hard work on the right wing was rewarded with a goal of her own. A first in a Falcons uniform, Johnson was unassisted and capped a slaloming run off with a simple finish from close range.
 
69' | With time running out, Simone Nelson drove home her fourth of the contest. A loose ball just inside the box was lashed home into the bottom left by the prolific striker, who enjoyed her finest night of her Montevallo career.
 
GAME NOTES

• The Falcons outshot their opponents 23 to 2, with 13 shots on goal to the visitor's none. The only two shots by the Tornadoes were both off the boot of Chantel Collins in the first half.
• Despite the disparity in shots, Montevallo only had one more corner than Talladega. Both first-half corners went the way of the visitors before the Falcons won three straight in the second period of play.
• The game was a cleanly contested match, with the only foul of the game going against Montevallo in the first half.
• The Falcons finish non-conference play with a perfect 3-0 record, with today's win adding to victories over Faulkner and Albany State.  Goalkeeper Judith Perez-Bayon kept shutouts in both of her non-conference game starts.
• Two Falcons made their season debuts tonight. Freshman Rachel Smith and Emilee Blue played career-high 45 minutes, and Blue was rewarded with a goal. Smith was lively throughout and won her side a pair of corners in the second period.

 
RECORDS

Montevallo 8-5-1 (5-5-1)
Talladega College 1-9

UP NEXT
 
Montevallo travels to Mississippi for the first of two road games this weekend. The Falcons play the Choctaws of Mississippi College on Friday, October 20^th. Kickoff from Robert  P. Longabaugh Field is set for 1 p.m. CT.