STRONG SECOND HALF POWERS KEAN OVER WOMEN'S SOCCER IN 2017 OPENER, 3-0

UNION, N.J. – The Emmanuel College women's soccer team opened the 2017 campaign with a 3-0 setback to host Kean University on Saturday afternoon in Day 1 action of the KU Labor Day Tournament at Kean Alumni Stadium. The Cougars move to 1-0 to start the year while the loss drops the Saints to 0-1.

Following 60 minutes of scoreless action, the Cougars struck first to take a 1-0 lead midway through the second half of play. KU sophomore midfielder Deana Abdou (Wayne, N.J.) intercepted a ball deep in the Emmanuel zone and made the Saints pay, finishing her first goal of the year at the 60:15 marker.

The Saints had a chance to equalize the score with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation off a dangerous corner kick. Sophomore Katherine O'Kane (Hanson, Mass.) fired a shot towards the frame that was blocked by a teammate before freshman forward Paige White (Guilford, Conn.) delivered a rebound shot just past the left side post.

The Cougars closed the door with a goal by senior midfielder Kendall Machak (Pompton Plains, N.J.) with 3:09 to play. Machak slipped past the Emmanuel back line and beat EC sophomore keeper Alexis Gawron (South Hadley, Mass.) to make it 2-0.

Kean added a third goal with 16 seconds left on the clock on a breakaway score by Alana Baron (Hillsborough, N.J.) to account for the 3-0 final.

The Cougars outshot Emmanuel 18-5 and owned an 8-5 advantage on corner kicks.

KU sophomore Casey McDonnell (Manahawkin, N.J.) made three saves to earn the shutout while Gawron made seven stops for Emmanuel.

Both teams return to action tomorrow afternoon as the Saints take on Stockton at 1:00 PM and Kean hosts Scranton at 4:00 PM.