For the first time in the 38-year history of the program, the Denison field hockey team improved to a perfect 9-0 following a 5-0 win at Earlham on Friday.

The 1980 Big Red opened the season with a record-setting 8-0 mark.  That year, DU outscored opponents 34-6 and posted three shutouts in those first eight games.  Fast forward 31 years and the faces might have changed, but the blueprint for a perfect start stayed relatively the same.  The 2011 squad has outscored opponents 29-4 and has posted an impressive six shutouts.

On Friday, sophomore Katie McMahon put the Big Red in front with a pair of unassisted tallies at the 13:30 and 16 minute marks of the first half.  Denison took a 3-0 lead into the break after Taylor Bacon scored her second goal of the season at 25:30.  In the second half, Tonie Michaels scored her fourth goal of the season off an assist from McMahon.  DU's final score was an unassisted goal off the stick of junior Catie Merrick.

Denison attempted 19 shots, while the suffocating Big Red defense did not surrender a shot to the Quakers.  DU also attempted 15 penalty corners, compared to just two by Earlham.  Goalkeepers Brittany Benson and Laura Campbell combined for Denison's sixth shutout of the season, while Quaker keeper Emma Treece made 11 saves on the night.

The Big Red improves to 9-0 on the year and a perfect 6-0 in the NCAC, while Earlham falls to 1-8 overall and 0-7 in the league.  Denison looks to extend their record-setting start on Saturday (Oct. 1) when they travel to NCAC newcomer DePauw.  Game time from Greencastle, Ind. is scheduled for 11 a.m.