Moore’s Quick Goals Lead Wildcats in 8-0 Shutout
The Culver-Stockton women’s soccer team opened their 2025 season in dominant fashion with an 8-0 victory over the Waldorf Warriors. The Wildcats are looking to build on last year’s campaign, which saw them finish 10-7-2 overall and make a return to the Heart Conference playoffs.
Sophomore midfielder Rian Moore wasted no time putting her team ahead, scoring just 2:55 into the match off an assist from Alayna Chandler-Gutierrez and Mikayla Giola. Moore struck again four minutes later, finishing a feed from Chandler-Gutierrez and Samantha Stone to give the Wildcats a commanding early lead.
“Honestly it felt good, because I think we’ve worked really hard as a team this preseason,” Moore said. “To be able to do that for my team — and it wouldn’t be possible without my teammates — felt really good.”
Moore finished the night with three shots on goal, two of which she buried. She credited the offseason and the people around her for her efficiency.
“Honestly I’ll say it was all the training in the offseason and the practices and all the coaches that I have that support me. I’m just going out there playing,” she said.
The Wildcats kept the pressure on, adding two more goals before halftime — one from Alexa Collao in the 22nd minute and another from Isabella Herrera in the 39th. By the break, Culver-Stockton had fired 19 shots, while their defense held Waldorf to just one attempt.
Chandler-Gutierrez, who assisted on three goals in the match, said the team’s energy was fueled by bouncing back from an earlier setback.
“Really exciting,” she said. “We came back from a hard loss, but it did nothing but make us determined to come in and hit hard this game and get the job done.”
Head coach Tyler Tomlinson said his challenge for the opener was efficiency rather than chasing a lopsided score.
“I think I challenged our kids that we wanted to be efficient. We weren’t going to worry about the score. We’re going to play ourselves to a good standard,” Tomlinson said. “I think we had some clunky moments at the start…but for us to smooth that out and play up to our standard was good by the end.”
The second half looked much the same. Halle Jennex extended the lead to 5-0 on another assist from Chandler-Gutierrez. A Waldorf own goal soon followed after a scramble in front of the net. Breah Morris added a tally in the 70th minute, and freshman Lola Weise capped the night with a strike in the 86th.
The Wildcats finished with 35 shots, 25 of which were on frame. Tomlinson said he was encouraged by the offensive creativity — but even more so by the clean sheet.
“To gain some confidence tonight in how we attacked — nice finishes, combination plays, decent crosses — those are the things we need in our conference to give ourselves a chance,” he said. “But personally, I’d say I’m more excited about the zero on the board. Our defense is young, with new starters and new positions, and for them to not allow very many shots and get a shutout — that’s more important for me.”
Defense has long been a cornerstone of the program, and Tomlinson said that won’t change.
“It’s the reason why we’ve been good for 15 years, if I’m being honest. We play good defense and we take pride in our defense. Whether we have a one on that board or an eight, if we played well and they score zero goals we’re always going to be in every game.”
For Moore, the team’s next step is simple: consistency.
“I think it’s just keep doing what we’re doing and play our system,” she said. “If we do that every game, that will prepare us for conference.”
Culver-Stockton will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup on the road against Stephens College on August 27th. They will return Home August 30th for Harris-Stowe.
