Ryan’s Late Goal Pushes Blazers Past Lions on Senior Day

Chicopee, MA – The Elms College women's soccer team defeated Eastern Nazarene College 1-0 on Tuesday night on Leary Field. The Blazers found the back of the net in the 75^th to secure the senior day victory and finish the spring season (3-1).

The home side started the night by honoring the careers of three seniors, Shannon Ryan (Leeds, MA), Cristina Rojas (Holyoke, MA), and Sam Manchino (Chicopee, MA).

The Blazers started the game by controlling the first 45 minutes of play, outshooting the Lions 5-1 and dominating possession. The visitors were able to keep Elms off of the scoreboard and send the game into halftime 0-0.

The second half was a copy of the first, with the Blazers having near miss after near miss. The best chance came off the foot of Abby Goodnow (Chesterfield, MA). Elms was able to link several passes together through the midfield with Sam Landry (Agawam, MA) completed the final pass to Goodnow who cracked a side volley from 28 yards out inches over the crossbar.

The home side took full advantage of their next opportunity, and finally found the back of the net. More possession through the midfield led to a cross from Taylor Floser (Millbury, MA) that found the foot of Ryan who struck a onetime shot past the ENC keeper into the back of the net, giving the Blazers a 1-0 senior day win.

That would prove to be enough as the Blazer backline held the Lions a bay, securing the clean sheet and 1-0 win.

Angela Picheo (Wood-Ridge, NJ) and Hannah DelGuidice (Oakland, ME) combined for the shutout in net.