The Benedictine Mesa women's soccer team opened GSAC play on Saturday evening with a 10-1 road loss to Embry-Riddle in Prescott.
Embry-Riddle struck early and often, scoring six first-half goals to build a 6-1 advantage at the break. The Eagles opened the scoring in the fifth minute before adding goals in the 11th and 15th minutes. After another Eagle goal in the 21st minute, Benedictine found its lone breakthrough just 26 seconds later when Rebecca Tomerlin converted a penalty kick to make the score 4-1.
The Eagles responded with two more goals before halftime and added four more in the second half to secure the conference victory. Leah Barone and Jamie Brandon each recorded hat tricks for Embry-Riddle, while seven different players factored into the scoring for the home side.
Despite facing relentless pressure throughout the match, goalkeeper Nenna Ford turned in a strong individual performance for the Redhawks. Ford recorded 18 saves while facing 50 total shots and 28 shots on goal from the Eagles.
Benedictine was limited to two shots on the night, with Tomerlin's penalty kick serving as the team's lone shot on goal. Rylee Hatcher registered the Redhawks' other attempt in the second half.
