GRINNELL, Iowa - Tuesday afternoon's victory was special in more than one way for the Grinnell College women's soccer team.

Not only did the 4-0 decision over Monmouth College at Springer Field keep the Pioneers in contention for a potential Midwest Conference title, it also marked the 100th career victory for coach Kirsten Koester.

Kate Nakamura '26 scored a pair of goals to spark Grinnell's offense, while the Pioneer defense stepped forward with its 11th shutout of the season. The shutout figure ranks fourth in program history and is the best at Grinnell since 2006.

Amelia Dueñas '26 and Ramona Delborne '26 also had goals for the Pioneers, who stayed unbeaten in MWC play at 5-0-2 while improving to 9-3-4 overall. Monmouth fell to 3-4-1 in the MWC and 5-8-3 in all games.

The contest was scoreless until there were 5 seconds left in the first half when Nakamura found the back of the net, scoring far post off a perfectly-placed shot from just outside the left side of the box.

Not even two minutes into the second half, Nakamura converted her second goal of the season and third in her career by beating her defender and scoring from just inside the box past the diving Fighting Scot keeper. Tali Berk '24 had the assist, her fourth of the year.

In the 52nd minute, Dueñas scored her first collegiate goal with the aid of Nakamura's second assist of the year. On the play, Dueñas got the ball inside the left part of the box, turned in a slick spin move and fired off a lofting shot that the Fighting Scot keeper couldn't corral.

Grinnell got some more insurance with just two minutes left when Delborne recorded her fourth goal of the season and fifth in her career. Delborne took a pass in the right side of the box and worked toward the keeper, beating her with a ground shot into the net. Carlie Duus '24 had the assist, her first of the season. 

Grinnell matched its season high with 39 shots, including a 22-2 edge in the first half and 17-3 margin in the second. Additionally, the Pioneers led the corner kick battle 5-1.

Giada Bambi '25 had five of Grinnell's shots, Rama Joshi '27, Jane March '24, Nakamura and Delborne added four apiece and Dueñas and Katie Carson '25 came up with three each.

Peyton Dixon '27 posted three saves as the winning keeper.

Grinnell wraps up the regular season Saturday when Lawrence University visits Springer Field for an 11 a.m. test. From there, the MWC Tournament awaits the Pioneers.