Lasell Edges Women's Soccer in GNAC Opener, 2-1

NEWTON, Mass. – Junior Korynne Provenzano (Stratham, N.H.) scored the game-winning goal early in the second half Wednesday afternoon to lead Lasell University to a 2-1 victory over Emmanuel College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's soccer contest at Taylor Field.

Provenzano scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute to break a 1-1 tie after Emmanuel was whistled for a hand-ball in the box. She deposited the ball into the left side of the net for her first goal of the season. With the win, Lasell improves to 2-4 overall and 2-0 in the GNAC, while Emmanuel falls to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Each team scored once in the first half. Lasell was credited with an own goal after the Saints attempted to break up a crossing pass and knocked it into their goal in the seventh minute of play. Emmanuel tied the game in the 28th minute when junior Sydney Allen (Charlestown, R.I.) rifled a beautiful shot from 30 yards out from the middle of the field, her first goal of the season.

Up 2-1, Lasell missed a chance to extend its lead in the second half when Emmanuel senior keeper Lexi Gawron (South Hadley, Mass.) made a diving stop on a shot. The Saints nearly tied it in the 73rd minute later when a shot by senior Abigale McKenelley (Middleton, Mass.) got past the Lasell keeper but Lasell sophomore defender Ella Contreras (Pawtucket, R.I.) kept the ball out of the goal with a header along the goal line.

Lasell finished with a 16-6 advantage in shots and a 7-1 margin in corner kicks. Sophomore Angela Sanzari (North Haven, Conn.) earned the victory in the Laser net, making one save. Gawron finished with six saves for the Saints.

The Lasers are home again this Saturday, September 21, with a non-conference match-up against Brandeis University at 3 p.m. at Taylor Field. Emmanuel plays its fourth straight road game Saturday with a 6 p.m. GNAC encounter at Norwich University.

*Release courtesy of Lasell University Athletic Communications