BALANCED ATTACK LIFTS SAINTS OVER RAIDERS, 6-2

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College netted four goals in the first half en route to a 6-2 win over River University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's soccer action played at Roberto Clemente Field on Saturday afternoon.  The Saints utilized a balanced offensive attack with six different players scoring goals, as Emmanuel improved to 5-7 on the season and 3-2 in GNAC action.  The visiting Raiders dropped to 5-6 overall and 0-5 in the conference with the loss.

The Saints dominated the offense for much of the game, holding a 29-5 shooting advantage with a 17-3 shots-on-goal margin.  Emmanuel got on the board first, just seventeen minutes into the game, when Hannah Konicki (Milford, Conn.) sent a cross through to Kelsie Dumas (Dalton, Mass.), who was open in the box.  Dumas calmly played her shot past a diving Lauren Goodspeed (Merrimack, N.H.) to give the Saints an early 1-0 edge.

In the 25th minute, Rivier was able to even the score, when the conference's leading scorer netted her first of two goals on the day.  Sophomore forward Maggie Cohoon (Derry, N.H.) broke free in the midfield and was able to dodge two Saints' defenders on a breakaway, before knotting the game at 1-all.  Emmanuel's rookie keeper Victoria Laroche (Hudson, N.H.) made a diving stop on Riv's next possession to keep the contest tied at one.

Just three minutes later, Emmanuel sophomore Courtney Freadman (Richmond, Mass.) was fouled in the box and converted the penalty kick opportunity, giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage.  Two possessions later, Emmanuel netted what would hold up as the game-winner.  Freshman forward Hailey Longbottom (Princeton, Mass.) headed in her 5th career goal off a cross from Molly Carey (Lynn, Mass.) and the Saints led, 3-1.

Laroche came way out of the net late in the half to thwart another Cohoon breakaway, just before the Saints tacked on their fourth goal of the half.  Sophomore forward Maggie Carey (Swampscott, Mass.) got an assist from Jess Dasilva (North Attleboro, Mass.) for her second tally of the season and EC led, 4-1 at the break.  The Saints held an 18-3 shooting advantage in the opening frame.

A third of the way through the second half and after a pair of near goals of her own, Konicki found Katelyn Fink (Sanford, Maine) open in the box and the junior midfielder put Emmanuel up, 5-1.  Konicki would finish with a game-high seven shots on the day.

In the 74th minute, Ashley Frank (Portland, Me.) netted her first collegiate career goal, giving the Saints a 6-1 lead. The sophomore defender drilled her shot from more than 30 yards out just above the outstretched arms of Goodspeed.

Cohoon picked up one more tally, her 12th of the season, in the 79th minute to cap the scoring on the day.  Cohoon took a pass from Jackie Russo (Saugus, Mass.) down the near sideline and tucked her shot just inside the far-side post to give the Raiders their second goal in the 6-2 loss.

Laroche picked up the win in net for the Saints, playing 61:26 and making one save. She was relived by Jenna Marcello (Hopedale, Mass.), who played 18:22 and Abaigeal Thivierge (Bennington,Vt.), who played the final 10:12.  Goodspeed played the full 90 minutes in the cage for the Raiders, facing 17 shots and making 11 saves.

The Saints will be back in action on Wednesday, October 8th, when Emmanuel hosts the Cadets of Norwich University in a 7:00 PM start.  Rivier also plays on Wednesday night, when the Raiders host Mount Ida College at 7:00 PM.