Women's Soccer Halts Mt. Ida, 4-2
WOMEN'S SOCCER HALTS MOUNT IDA, 4-2
NEWTON, MA, Oct. 4, 2006 - Junior Jamie Walsh (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) netted a pair of goals to boost the Elms College women's soccer team to a 4-2 triumph over North Atlantic Conference foe Mount Ida College this afternoon at the Mount Ida Athletic Stadium. With the win, the Blazers took over sole possession of first place in the NAC standings. The two squads had previously been deadlocked with perfect 5-0-0 marks in league play.
Elms jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage, when freshman Maggie Rivers (Dalton, Mass./Wahconah Regional) tallied off a corner kick opportunity. Classmate Vanessa Pare (Belchertown, Mass./Belchertown) was credited with the assist on the play.
The Mustangs answered with the equalizer in the 15th minute. Junior Ashley Fisher (Millbury, Mass./Millbury) collected a rebound off a shot by senior Kristin Santos (Tiverton, R.I./Tiverton) and deposited into the back of the net for her fourth marker of the fall.
From there it was all Blazers, as the guests exploded for three goals in a span of 5:08 early in the second half. Walsh scored off a free kick in the 48th minute to get the rally started. Her first goal of the year gave her squad a 2-1 edge. The midfielder then converted a penalty kick for her second goal in the 53rd minute. Rivers set up junior Sarah Casagrande (Easthampton, Mass./Easthampton) less than one minute later for the Blazers fourth and final goal of the day.
Fisher sliced the deficit to 4-2 in the 66th minute, but it was not enough, as Elms held on for its eighth consecutive victory. The Mustangs saw their seven-match winning streak come to an end.
Sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Donnelly (Florence, Mass./Cathedral) turned away six shots en route to her eighth win of the year for the Blazers.
The Blazers return to action Monday, October 9, as they travel to Trinity College. Game time is 4:00 p.m.