NORTHHAMPTON, Mass. – The Wheaton College women's soccer team secured the No. 2 seed in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 win over host Smith College. 

The win improves the Lyons to 13-5-2 on the season and 6-2-2 in conference play. The Pioneers fall to 7-6-5 overall and 3-3-4 in the NEWMAC, earning them the No. 7 seed in the NEWMAC Tournament. 

Wheaton got things going in the eighth minute of action with a goal from junior Alexa Sanchez. Earning a free-kick from 50-yards out, senior captain Julie Beyar played the ball into the box where it found the head of Sanchez, who was able to redirect it into goal. The goal is the first of the season for Sanchez.

First-year Kaylee Sye scored what would prove to be the game winner at the 12:51 mark with help from Sanchez. The Pioneers failed to clear the ball out of the box after a Wheaton corner-kick, allowing it to fall to Sanchez. The junior collected the ball and knocked it to Sye, who buried it in the upper left netting.

The home team earned a goal back at the 73:22 mark with a goal from GiGi Ross. Ross one-touched a cross over the head of Wheaton's goalkeeper.

Despite surrendering a goal, first-year Leann Wolf picked up her ninth win of the season, making six saves. 

Camryn Biasin picked up the loss for Smith after one half of action. Shelby Hall also saw time in net for the Pioneers.

Wheaton held a 7-3 advantage in corners, but Smith managed to outshoot the Lyons 13-8.

Wheaton will return to the field on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at Mirrione Stadium for the Quarterfinals of the NEWMAC Tournament, where they will once again face-off against No. 7 Smith.  

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