ELSAH, IL – The Principia women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day with another important conference victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Blackburn College by a final score of 2-1. Senior Zoe Houseman scored twice in the opening half to help Principia earn its second straight SLIAC win.

The team's 13 seniors were honored before the match with their families and friends on hand to celebrate this special group of women who embody what it means to be Principia student-athletes. Five are dual sport athletes, five have performed on the stage, two have been student-body presidents, and almost all have served in other leadership positions on campus. The community they have created with this program, the culture they have upheld, and the excellence they have demanded set an amazing example for their teammates and peers.

The Panthers were on the front foot from the start and broke through in the 13th minute. Fellow senior Mafe Quintero found Houseman for the opening goal on a perfectly placed shot from outside the box, giving Principia an early advantage. Houseman struck again in the 35th minute, converting a penalty kick over the goalkeeper's head to send the Panthers into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Her first ever collegiate brace gives her four goals on the season, moving her into the team lead.

Blackburn pulled one back less than four minutes into the second half to cut the lead to one. Rather than allowing the early goal to swing the match, the Panthers settled back in and spent much of the remainder of the half pushing for an insurance goal. Principia couldn't find a third despite generating plenty of opportunities, but the Panthers also gave Blackburn little chance to equalize. Principia finished with a 25-5 advantage in shots and put 15 on frame. Panthers goalkeeper Isabella Brancati faced just three shots on goal at the other end and made two saves.

The victory moves Principia to 5-4-2 overall and 2-1-1 in SLIAC play. The Panthers travel to Westminster College for a Tuesday evening match before returning home for a matchup with Webster University on Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 PM CT. Many women's soccer alumni will be on hand next weekend as two legends of the program, former head coach Lee Ellis and former striker Christina Day, are inducted into the Principia Gold & Blue Athletic Hall of Fame.