WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gallaudet University coach Sarah Gumina knew her team would start the season at a disadvantage without two of her better players available. On Monday evening, Gumina and the Bison faithful, that packed into Hotchkiss Field, saw first hand how junior Virginia Keeler (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and freshman Shaquana McDonough (Pembroke, Mass.) could change a game for GU. The new additions helped the Bison (3-3-1) to a 1-0 shutout victory over Trinity (D.C.) University (3-4-0) before a crowd of 150.

Keeler and McDonough recently returned from Taipei where they led the United States of America to a gold medal in the 2009 Deaflympics. Keeler made her 2009 season debut last Friday night while McDonough wore the Bison uniform for the first time tonight.

The long awaited debut of 'Shaq' occurred 18 minutes into the first half as she subbed in for junior Brittainy Payne (Pine Hill, N.J.). Eight minutes later, McDonough took her first-ever shot as a Bison. The shot came on a fastbreak attempt where Keeler passed to McDonough on the left side of the goalie box but the hard shot was saved by Trinity goalie Courtney Haines (four saves). The duo changed roles, minutes later, when McDonough sent a centering pass from the left corner to the goalmouth. A streaking Keeler got her foot on the ball, which looked like a sure goal, but Haines deflected the shot at the last second as the ball went out of bounds.

The teams went into halftime knotted in a defensive battle tied 0-0. Gallaudet doubled up Trinity on shots, 10-5, and took nine corner kicks.

In the second half, the Bison found the back of the net when Keeler unleashed a strong shot past new Tiger goalie Cristina Martinez (five saves) to give GU the 1-0 lead.

The Bison defense went to work from there as they limited the Tigers to four shots and one corner kick in the second half. Freshman goalie Kara Gulvas (Crown Point, Ind.) recorded five saves in her third collegiate victory, all shutouts.

Gallaudet made a season-high 21 shots and 10 corner kicks in the victory. Keeler took a game-high nine shots, six on goal, while McDonough had four shots, two on goal. The time 'Shaq' spent on the field gave a glimpse of her potential as she raced from one end of the field to the other. She was quite impressive on her throw-ins where she would easily throw the ball 20 to 30 yards down the field. McDonough is a pure athlete as she will suit up for the GU women's basketball team this winter. She also ran in track and field events at the 2009 Deaflympics.

For Bison fans the Monday night victory was well worth the wait to see as they saw the 2009 GU women's soccer team completely together for the first time this season. Fans hope this is just the beginning of a special season for the Buff and Blue.

GU will next host University of Mary Washington on Sunday, September 27, at 1 p.m. in a Capital Athletic Conference game.