NEWPORT, R.I. — The Wheaton College (Mass.) women's soccer team was defeated by host Salve Regina University, 1-0, this afternoon in New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference action at Toppa Field in Newport, R.I.
The Lyons dip to 3-11-1 overall and 1-7 in NEWMAC play, while the Seahawks improve to 4-6-4 and 2-6.
Salve Regina owned a 15-8 shooting advantage, but Wheaton held a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Four corner kicks were awarded in the match with two going to each team.
The Seahawks scored the game's lone goal in the ninth minute of play after taking advantage of a Lyon turnover in their own defensive zone. Sophomore forward Hannah Daniewicz (Preston, Conn.) took possession of an errant cross for Salve Regina and calmly lifted a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that sailed under the crossbar and into the back of the net on the far left side just 8:28 into the match. The goal was her fifth of the season.
The marker proved to be the only offense the home team would need as both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the afternoon.
The Seahawks looked to add to their lead in the 30th minute of play, but Marissa Perachi's shot hit the crossbar to keep it a one-goal margin.
Wheaton had an opportunity to get on the board early in the second half when sophomore back Francesca Freeman (Portland, Maine) served a ball into the box from just before midfield and the keeper bobbled the ball. Sophomore midfielder Raquel Garces (Somerset, N.J.) came crashing into the goalmouth, but the Salve Regina keeper regained control to end the threat.
The Lyons had one more quality chance to tie the game on a corner kick with 20 minutes to play in the match. Freeman lifted a ball from the corner flag into the box, where first year back Maya Thomas (Goffstown, N.H.) got up for the ball and had it ricochet off her body and toward the net, but the ball was boxed around by a Salve Regina defender to keep the ball out of the net and the shutout intact.
Sophomore keeper Patricia Bandrup (Poway, Calif.) registered three saves for Wheaton, while first year goalie Sabrina Lawless (Milford, Conn.) posted her first career shutout with five saves for the Seahawks.
The Lyons return to the pitch when they host Smith College in NEWMAC play on Saturday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Mirrione Stadium. Salve Regina will host Babson College on the same day at 12:00 p.m.
