NORTON, Mass. – Three different players scored for the visiting Smith College women's soccer team in a 3-0 victory over host Wheaton College (Mass.) this afternoon in New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference play at Mirrione Stadium on the Wheaton campus in Norton, Mass.
The Lyons slip to 7-6 overall and 3-4 in conference action, while the Bears improve to 3-9-1 and 2-5.
Wheaton honored its seven seniors prior to the match with a ceremony to recognize Patricia Bandrup (Poway, Calif.), Francesca Freeman (Portland, Maine), Ali Roche (Maynard, Mass.), Julia Sternat (Ellington, Conn.), Arden Ulmer (Henniker, N.H.), Kate Wickenheisser (Oxford, Conn.) and Mia Wolfgang (Holliston, Mass.) on Senior Day.
The home team held a 19-16 shot advantage, but Smith was able to put the ball on frame more often with a 9-5 margin in shots on goal. The Lyons were awarded all three corner kicks.
The Bears scored just over four minutes into the game, before adding a pair of second half goals.
Smith senior midfielder Mather Davidson (Miami, Fla.) sent a cross into the box from the right side that was deflected by a Wheaton defender, but the ball still made it to sophomore midfielder Amelia Dion (Burlington, Vt.). The second-year player fired a low shot just inside the left post for her first marker of the season just 4:06 into the match.
The score remained 1-0 until the end of the half, despite 11 shots from the home team.
The Bears doubled their margin with a goal in the 62nd minute for a 2-0 lead. Junior midfielder Una Keller (Davis, Calif.) controlled the ball in the box, before unleashing a shot that found the right side of the net for her fifth goal of the year with 28:29 remaining in the contest.
Graduate student forward Kaleigh Quinn (Bristol, R.I.) added an insurance score with her team-leading 12th goal of the year in the 75th minute of play. The graduate student carried the ball around the Lyon backfield on the right side, before lifting a shot into the far left post to give Smith a 3-0 lead with 11:36 to go in the contest.
Wheaton's best scoring chance came with 28:02 to play in the second half when Roche was awarded a penalty kick, but her attempt hit the left post. The ball came off the post and both Roche and Smith senior keeper Sky Smith (Carlise, Mass.) went for the ball, but Roche's rebound attempt was smothered by Smith to keep her shutout intact.
The Lyons also looked to get on the board midway through the first half to tie the game, but junior Maya Thomas (Goffstown, N.H.), Roche and first year forward Karina Contreras (Pawtucket, R.I.) all had shots blocked in succession in the goalmouth by the Bears' defense.
Smith registered five saves to post her second shutout of the season and 13th blank sheet of her career for Smith.
Roche paced the Wheaton offensive effort with six shots, while Bandrup finished with six saves.
The Lyons head to Cambridge, Mass. on the same day to take on NEWMAC foe Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff, while the Bears return to play on Wednesday, October 22 when they host league rival Babson College at 3:00 p.m.
