Lourdes concluded its four-match road trip to begin the 2021 season on Saturday evening, defeating Shawnee State 2-1 at the Shawnee Turf Field in Portsmouth, Ohio, giving the Gray Wolves their best four-match start in program history.
 
"The girls executed well today and stayed true to our game," head coach Jackie Phillips said afterwards.  "I am proud of the whole team effort we witnessed."
 
Brynn McGarvey (Meridian, Idaho/Rocky Mountain H.S.) put the Gray Wolves on the scoreboard with 7:54 to play before intermission, scoring her first collegiate goal.
 
Lourdes maintained its 1-0 lead into halftime, outshooting the Bears 10-7 in the opening stanza, including 9-3 on goal.
 
Emily Johnson (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer H.S.) doubled the Gray Wolf advantage just 3:31 into the second half, converting on a penalty kick for her first goal of the year.
 
Shawnee State (4-3) cut the Lourdes lead in half just over two minutes later on a goal by Paige Alford but could not find the equalizer down the stretch.
 
Lourdes finished the match with a 24-10 shot advantage, including a 16-6 edge on net.  Emmy Rodger (Romeo, Mich./Romeo H.S.) made five saves in a complete game effort for the Gray Wolves in net while Shelbi Ritchie stopped 14 shots from Lourdes.
 
Lourdes (2-0-2) will host Huntington on Tuesday evening in the Gray Wolves' home opener.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.