Women's Soccer Rolls Past Mitchell

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Elms College women's soccer team used a quick first half strike and a pair of second half goals to defeat host Mitchell College in a New England Collegiate Conference match at Alumni Field Monday afternoon.

The Blazers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as sophomore forward Rachel Mick (Granby, Mass.) delivered a pass to the far side of the box, finding sophomore defender Kylen O'Hearn (Somers, Conn.), who ripped a shot past Mitchell junior goalkeeper Katie McBride (Paris, France), staking the Blazers to a 1-0 lead. Elms maintained their advantage the remainder of the half.

In the 65^th minute of play, Blazers sophomore midfielder Rachel Connell (Easthampton, Mass.) found junior defender Michelle Rossignol (Manchester, Conn.) for the top-left corner finish, making it a 2-0 game.

Elms netted their insurance goal with 16:21 to play as senior midfielder Gina DiGivanni (Springfield, Mass.) delivered a brilliant volley, from 18 yards out, off a corner kick from junior midfielder Melissa Welch (Westfield, Mass.), to send the Blazers to the 3-0 conference victory.

Elms dominated the shot column, 31-6, during the match. Blazers junior goalie Alexa Rinaudo (Bellmore, N.Y.) posted her fourth shutout of the season, making three saves in the win, while McBride stopped a game-high 11 saves for the Mariners.

With the win, the Blazers improve to 4-8 overall, and 3-1 in NECC standings, while Mitchell falls to 1-9-1, and 1-2-1 on the season. Elms will look to continue their winning ways as they host Wesleyan (Conn.) in a non-conference tilt at Leary Field Wednesday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

ELMS SOCCER