GRINNELL, Iowa - Grinnell women's soccer team came out firing on all cylinders and never looked back in its 8-0 win over Illinois College at Springer Field Saturday afternoon.

The goal total is the highest for Grinnell since a 2014 victory over Rockford University, while the shots total of 31 and shots on goal tally of 24 were the best for Grinnell since a season finale against the Lady Blues in 2019.

The win snapped a five-match losing streak for the Pioneers where they were narrowly nipped by several high-quality foes. Additionally, the victory moved Grinnell's all-time record against the Lady Blues to 30-2-2 and winning streak against the visitors to four matches, dating back to 2017.

Grinnell scored two first-half goals before erupting for six in the second half, tied for the sixth-most goals in a half in program history.
 
Madeleine Dellinger '22 opened the scoring for Grinnell less than nine minutes into the game with a clever chip shot after the ball popped out to her on a corner kick. Feeding off of the momentum, the Pioneers continued to attack the Illinois College defense until a beautiful long shot from Ali Nadalsky '25 made it 2-0 just before halftime.
 
Grinnell picked up right where they left off in the second half when a lovely shot from Giada Bambi '25 hit the crossbar before finding the back of the net in the 50th minute. After that, Grinnell picked up a flurry of goals including a second from Dellinger and career-firsts for Francesca Dalla Betta '22, Allison Wehrman '24, and Tali Berk '24, and Tori Thomas '25.
 
Defensively, the Pioneers were sound throughout the game, holding Illinois College to just three shots on the day. Elinor Arneson '23 and Hannah Malicky '22 each played 45 minutes in net.
 
Grinnell fired off a season-high 31 shots over the course of the afternoon. Alyssa Radakovich '22 led the team with five followed by Bambi with four and Dellinger with three.
 
With the win, the Pioneers improve to 1-0 in conference play and 2-6 overall. Illinois College falls to 2-6. Grinnell returns to conference action in an away contest against Knox College on Tuesday.