LASERS SNAP SAINTS’ GNAC UNBEATEN STREAK

BOSTON, MA - Lasell College's women's soccer team handed Emmanuel its first regular season Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) loss in 17 games on Tuesday night at the Winsor School field.  The Saints, who went unbeaten in conference play last year, carried a 13-game unbeaten streak into the 2008 season.  Emmanuel tacked on three more GNAC wins this year, before falling to Lasell by a score of 3-2 in Tuesday night's battle.

The Saints, now 5-4 on the season, came out strong early in the contest and netted their first goal in the 24th minute.  Rookie forward Melanie Hoffman (Topsham, ME) scored her second goal of the season, with an assist from sophomore Meghan Long (Smithfield, RI) to give Emmanuel a 1-0 lead.   Lasell (3-3) struck back just 42 seconds later, when junior midfielder Alyssa Ferreri (Southbury, CT) scored her first of two goals on the night.  Ferreri was assisted by junior defender Alaina Mitrano (Medford, MA), who lofted a corner kick into the box.

Emmanuel scored a break in the 90th minute, when sophomore forward Amber Di Nucci (Assonet, MA) was fouled hard and junior Kate McKenna (Holyoke, MA) converted the penalty kick to give the Saints a 2-1 advantage.  Lasell would add on one more goal before time expired in the opening half.  Freshman midfielder Molly Clarke (Kinsington, CT) was assisted by sophomore forward Allyson Bushey (Westminster, MA) to knot the game at 2-2.

The Saints came out flat in the second half and got behind early.  Lasell completed another corner kick situation at 52:10 to take a 3-2 lead.  Ferreri's second goal of the game, with another assist from Mitrano, proved to be the game-winner, as the Lasers were able to hang onto the 1-goal advantage for the remaining thirty-eight minutes.  Lasell survived, despite being out-shot by the Saints, 10-2, in the second half.

Emmanuel had several scoring opportunities down the stretch, but could not convert.  The Saints nearly doubled the Lasers' shots for the game, out-shooting the visitors, 15-8.  Rookie goalkeeper Elizabeth Stickly (Mashpee, MA) played an incredible game in net for the Lasers, making 7 saves in her 90-minute stint.  Emmanuel's senior keeper Laureyn Furtney (Barrington, NH) made 3 stops for the Saints.

Article courtesy of Emmanuel College Sports Information Department.