Atchison, Kan. - In a showdown of the two top teams in the Heart of America, the No. 8 Central Methodist Women's Soccer program earned a 4-0 shut out victory over Benedictine College Tuesday night in Atchison, Kan. 

With the win, Central remains atop the Heart standings with a 11-2-1 overall record and a 7-0-1 mark in conference action. The Ravens drop to fourth in the standings at 10-5 and 7-2 in the Heart. 

The victory tonight also marks Central's first win over the Ravens in Atchison in program history. 

CMU's first goal of the match came after a foul inside the box in the 23rd minute of play. Senior Maria Cervello was awarded the penalty kick and converted, slipping the ball in the lower left corner to give Central a 1-0 lead. 

Kitti Torok pushed CMU's lead to 2-0 in the 39th minute on a kick from 20 yards out that found the upper left corner of the net on the assist from Cervello. 

The Eagles would hold a 2-0 lead at the halftime break. Central's third goal of the match began on a free-kick from Laura Riesenbeck, finding the feet of Marcella Helena inside the box. Helena slipped the ball past the keeper to give Central a 3-0 lead in the 65th minute. 

Less than a minute later Jade Perrin sealed the victory with her second goal of 2022 off the assist from Helena. 

Central's offense controlled the pace from start to finish, firing off 18 shots including eight on goal. The defense held Benedictine to just six shots, with three coming on goal. 

The duo of Helena and Roneisha Frank led the way with four shots each, including three on goal for Helena. Cervello tallied three shots, a goal and an assist. 

Judit Gonzalez Oliveras picked up three saves in the shut out, playing all 90 minutes between the posts and earning her 11th win of the year. 

The Eagles remain on the road Saturday, Sept. 22 against Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. 

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