WOMEN'S SOCCER BLANKS EMERSON, 2-0, IN SEASON-OPENER

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College women's soccer team opened the 2014 campaign downing crosstown rival Emerson College, 2-0, in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Rotch Field. The win lifts the Saints to 1-0 while the Lions drop to 0-1.

In the first half the Saints came out marching as they put up ten shots to Emerson's three as senior forward Kelsie Dumas (Dalton, Mass.) set up freshman back Emily Gilman (Windham, Maine) in the 11^th minute with a an assist that Gilman deposited into the top right corner to make it 1-0. Emerson's goalie Allie Altman did work though, saving four of Emmanuel's ten shots to leave it at 1-0 headed into the half.

The Lions came back with fire in the second though as they pushed five more shots on the Saints with Natalie Benjamin and Tayllar Righini both putting up two apiece to keep Emmanuel on their toes and force three saves out of the Saints goalie. The Lion defense wasn't able to hold off though as sophomore forward Courtney Freadman (Richmond, Mass.) dropped a perfectly placed ball to junior midfielder Katelyn Fink (Sanford, Maine) in the middle of the field that Fink dropped in the top right corner to pull it to the 2-0 final on the day.

EC rookie goalie Victoria Laroche (Hudson, N.H.) earned her first college shutout posting four saves in the win, becoming the first rookie keeper to post an opening day shutout since 2009 when 2012 graduate Jessica D'Ottavio blanked New England College 3-0 on Sept. 6, 2009. Altman made six saves in the loss for the Lions

The Saints return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Fitchburg State for a 7:00 PM non-conference tilt. Next up the Lions hit the home turf again on Tuesday night as they face the Wentworth Leopards at 6:00 p.m. at Rotch Field in Boston, Mass.

*Some content provided by Emerson College Sports Information Dept.