MIDWAY, Ky. - The 2023 season couldn't have started much better for the Midway women's soccer team.

Three different Eagles scored goals and the defense held Union to just three shots in a 3-0 win at the Midway Soccer Field Tuesday afternoon.

The offensive attack was aggressive from the start, and after a few clean looks got turned away, the first goal of the season came from an unlikely source. Junior defender Cameron Banfield scored just the third goal of her Eagle career off a great Maggie Sauer pass in the 18th minute.

"As an outside back I don't get many opportunities," Banfield said after the game. "It was really a teamwork thing. It was a free kick and Maggie had played it to me and I was able to take that shot."

Banfield and Evie Clare then assisted on a Morgan Harper goal 18 minutes later to stretch the lead to 2-0 at the half. Clare added a goal of her own just 2:57 into the second half, lofting a header over Bulldog goalie Chiara Isanto.

The Eagle defense made life easy for goalie Caylee Thompson, who saved the only two shots on goal that came her way to record her third collegiate shutout.

Having finished under .500 in each of the last three seasons, Midway players have expressed confidence they would get back to a higher level of success this season. And while tougher competition lies ahead, they feel Tuesday marked a great first step.

"I think it really shows other teams what we're made of," Banfield said of the win. "Other teams will know it's not going to be an easy game when they come against us."

The Eagles are back at home Thursday, hosting 1-2 Pikeville (Ky.) at 1 p.m. 

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