CHICAGO - The University of Chicago women's soccer team got its season off to roaring start on Tuesday with four goals in the first half en route to a 4-0 victory over Kalamazoo College.

The No. 11-ranked Maroons improved to 1-0-0 while the Hornets fell to 0-1-0.

UChicago wasted no time getting its first goal of the year. Five minutes in, senior defender Emma Almon hit the left post with a shot and freshman midfielder Jenna McKinney controlled the rebound and scored her first collegiate goal.

The Maroons continued to own the action in the first half. In the 23rd minute, the Maroons sent a corner into the box that bounced off several bodies before senior forward Mary Bittner knocked the ball in. The assists went to sophomore forward Mia Calamari and senior midfielder Nicole Mullen.

UChicago made it 3-0 in the 38th minute. Senior defender Ryann Hanley knocked a left-footed shot inside the far post, with an assist credited to junior midfielder Sophia Kim. Just three minutes later, senior midfielder Naomi Pacalin headed the ball in off a corner kick by sophomore forward Hayley Thompson.

The halftime lead stood at 4-0 for the Maroons, who also possessed a 17-2 shot advantage.

The home side continued to dominate the ball in the second half and kept in sync on the attack despite numerous subs. The hot and humid weather led to plenty of subbing by both teams. No more goals crossed the line, however.

Freshman goalkeeper Piper Mik (1-0-0) earned her first career victory after recording 45 scoreless minutes in the first half.

UChicago dominated the statistics with a 24-2 edge in shots and an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Maroon goalies did not face any shots on goal.

NEXT MATCH:

• Saturday, August 5 - UChicago at Augustana College, 12 PM