2012 WOMEN’S SOCCER SEASON IN REVIEW

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College women's soccer team bounced back from a disappointing finish in 2011 to return to the GNAC and ECAC tournaments in 2012. The Saints compiled an overall record of 13-7-1 to go along with an 8-3-1 record in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action.

The Saints opened the year with a 1-0 shutout victory against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute n the Rensselaer Invitational behind an eight save performance by senior goalkeeper Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, N.Y.) and a goal by junior midfielder Donandrea Myette (Portsmouth, R.I.). With the shutout, D'Ottavio set the new program-record for career shutouts with 12.

The next three victories for the squad would all be decided by one goal as Emmanuel was able to tally wins over Nichols (3-2 OT on 9/4), Suffolk (2-1 on 9/12) and Wentworth (1-0 on 9/17). Against their Fenway neighbors, sophomore forward Amanda Roberts (Hudson, N.H.) netted the lone goal of the contest with under four minutes to play in regulations to give EC the 1-0 victory.

On Sept. 22, Emmanuel posted a strong 4-1 victory over Mount Ida College, scoring four unanswered goals to come away with the GNAC win. After battling the regular season GNAC champs, the University of Saint Joseph (CT) Blue Jays, to a tough 2-1 defeat on the road, EC then bounced back with a hard-fought 3-2 overtime victory against Saint Joseph's College (ME). Emmanuel trailed 2-0 at the half but junior forward Lindsey Garvey (Warwick, R.I.) got the Saints on the board and then an own goal evened the score. In the extra session, freshman midfielder Katelyn Fink (Sanford, Maine) scored the game-winner in the 96^th minute.

The Saints came out of the gates strong in October posting three consecutive shutouts against Johnson & Wales (3-0 on 10/2), Emerson (6-0 on 10/6) and Curry (2-0 on 10/8). Garvey netted a hat trick against Emerson and was named the GNAC Player of the Week for her efforts. Following a 2-0 hiccup against Simmons, EC would close out the month on a four-game winning streak, compiling victories over Anna Maria (7-0 on 10/13), Rivier (7-1 on 10/17), Albertus Magnus (1-0 on 10/20) and Emerson (2-1 on 10/28).

The win against Albertus Magnus secured the Saints the No. 3 spot in the GNAC tournament as Garvey netted the game's only goal in the 61^st minute of action.

The Saints hosted Emerson in the 2012 GNAC Quarterfinals and found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime. Garvey would net the equalizer in the 68^th minute of action before senior forward Meghan Zerba (Cumberland, R.I.) scored the game-winner less than one minute later.

In the GNAC Semifinals, Emmanuel faced off against the No. 2 seed, Lasell College. The two squads played evenly for the first 35 minutes of action before the Lasers took a 1-0 lead into the half. The Saints would surrender three second half goals and fall to the eventual GNAC Champions, 4-0.

For the third time in program history, the Saints received a berth to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England women's soccer tournament as the No. 6 seed. The Saints would draw No. 3 Endicott College in the ECAC Quarterfinals. After a scoreless first half, the Gulls found the back of the net twice in the second frame to end the Saints season at 13-7-1.

Senior midfielder Brittany Ridge (Portland, Maine) was named to the GNAC All-Conference First Team, making her third consecutive appearance on the All-Conference squad. Joining Ridge was Garvey who earned Second Team honors while first-year Ari Cardillo (Pittsfield, Mass.) was recognized on the Third Team All-GNAC unit.

The Saints bid farewell to a large senior class of eight members including Ridge, D'Ottavio, Zerba, Emily Abelson (Northford, Conn.), Jackie Murray (Saugus, Mass.), Taylor Whitehill (Newburyport, Mass.), Lauren Foley (North Andover, Mass.) and Hillary Rouse (Hagaman, N.Y.).