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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Eleven games into the season the Panthers finally kicked off conference action today with a 4-1 victory over the Crusaders of Madonna. Three different Panthers found the back of the net with Paige Eli picking up three assists. Davenport is now 8-4 overall and 1-0 in conference action.

Coming into today both Davenport and Madonna had received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll and 35 minutes into the first half it looked as if the game may be decided by one goal. Fortunately for DU that wasn't the case.

Freshman Abbie Prince picked up her fifth goal of the year at the 35:05 mark off a beautiful pass from fellow freshman Paige Eli. Prince then started of the second half with another goal from Letesha Cannonier to put the Panthers up 2-0 with the majority of the second half remaining.

Up 2-0 Davenport still had to bring their “A” game on the defensive side of the ball. Catherine Howard racked up 14 saves as Madonna outshot DU 18-6 in the second half and 24-14 overall.

Cannonier and Thelma Gylfadottir added goals from Eli at the 52:08 and 62:18 mark to push the lead to 4-0 in favor of DU. With the final seconds ticking down and the sun setting right in Howard's eyes Madonna's Ashley Parent found the back of the net to put MU on the board and bring the final to 4-1.

The victory is the eight of the season for DU as they continue conference play Wednesday at Indiana Tech. Game time is set for 7:00pm under the lights.


Post-Game Quotes - Head Coach Chris Allen and Freshman Abbie Prince

Allen on overall play of his freshman -  “Three of our four goals were scored by our freshman today. It is fantastic that we can send 12 freshmen onto the field combined with the experience of my upper classmen and see the results first hand.”

Prince on her first WHAC victory in a DU uniform – “It felt great to get our first conference win this is something that we have been looking forward to since we started our season in August. It's always nice when I can contribute and score some goals as well.”

Post-Match Notes

The Panthers improve to 3-5-2 overall against Madonna and 2-0-1 under head coach Chris Allen…Their all-time record against WHAC opponents improves to 21-29-6…DU is 8-0 on the year when scoring first in the game…davenport has only given up three goals in their eight victories this year

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