Third-Seeded Women's Soccer Advances Past No. 6 Becker College, 2-0
CHICOPEE, Mass. – Elms College junior forward Jennifer Killion (Cambridge, Mass.) scored what proved to be the game-winner in the third minute of play to help lift the third-seed Blazers to a 2-0 victory over No. 6 Becker College in Tuesday evening's quarterfinal game of the 2010 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's soccer championship tournament at Leary Field.
With the win, Elms advances to the semifinals and will travel to No. 2 Mitchell College on Thursday, Nov. 4. The 9-9 Blazers will square off against the 8-7-1 Mariners at 2:00 p.m. in New London, Conn.
Becker concludes its season 5-14 overall.
Three minutes into the contest, Elms' junior midfielder Erica Griffo (Syracuse, N.Y.) scorched a shot that Becker goalkeeper Alena Phongsa (Putnam, Conn.) deflected away and Killion was in perfect position to control the rebound and knock the ball into the net giving the Blazers the early 1-0 lead.
Elms added to its lead at the 30:27 mark when freshman forward Christina Goodchild (East Longmeadow, Mass.) crossed the ball to the foot of freshman defender Ashley Venancio (Ludlow, Mass.) who drilled the ball into the nylon to extend the lead to 2-0.
After outshooting the Hawks 10-3 in the first 45 minutes, the game evened out in the second half as Becker outshot Elms 7-6 in a scoreless second stanza.
Blazers' freshman midfielder Paige Marchand (Canaan, Vt.) led a stellar effort from Elms' defense while Venancio and freshman defender Allyson Witaszek (Feeding Hills, Mass.) also played well in the defensive third of the field for the Blazers.
Phongsa made six of her nine saves in the contest during the first half, while Blazers' freshman goalkeeper Hayley Zisk (Baldwinville, Mass.) notched three saves in the win – all of them in the second period.
Killion and Griffo registered three shots on goal each, while Goodchild placed two shots on target in the win.
