TUCSON - The Arizona soccer team (2-1-1) defeated Kent State (2-2-1) in overwhelming fashion on Thursday, posting a 5-0 victory. The score marks the most Wildcat goals in a match in the Becca Moros era and is the most by an Arizona team since 2019.

The 5-0 final score also marked Arizona's first shutout of the season.

The Wildcats were able to get a few shots off early with Gianna Christiansen, Nicole Dallin and Cameron Valladares taking aim at the goal. 

Christiansen gave the Cats a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute, corralling a Kent State header and launching it from the top of the box over the hands of Kent State's Sarah Melen.

Five Wildcats combined for seven shots in the initial 45 minutes, Christiansen and Dallin each taking two and Valladares, Savannah Holley and Desiree Foster with one apiece.

Kent State was unable to get a shot off until the 38th minute, and that shot was their only one of the first half. They ended the match with just two shots.

For the first 15 minutes of the second half, neither team was able to get a shot attempt off. Arizona then scored four goals between the 61st and 75th minutes to put the match away.

Dallin struck first, extending her scoring streak to four consecutive matches with a goal. The senior took the ball past four Kent State defenders to send it beyond Golden Flash keeper Heidi Marshall.

Less than two minutes later, in the 63rd minute, Valladares took aim from well outside the box to send the ball over Marshall's head.

In the 68th minute Foster joined the group of Wildcats with a goal, receiving a pass from Ella Hatteberg at the top right corner of the box that she launched into the net.

Arizona's final goal came in the 75th minute when Marley Chappel passed the ball of to Megan Chelf, who took a shot from nearly midfield that sailed past Kent State's defense and goalkeeper.

The Wildcats return to action Sunday, Sept. 2 in Tempe for their second game of the Sun Devil Classic. The Cats will play Boise State at 1 p.m.