Women's Soccer Defeats Suffolk 4-1 in GNAC Opener

EAST BOSTON – The Lasell women's soccer team opened up their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) schedule with a 4-1 victory over Suffolk University at the James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Lasers (2-2, 1-0 GNAC) kept their two-year GNAC unbeaten streak in tack with the victory, improving to 24-0-1 against conference opponents, a streak which dates back to 2013. Suffolk remains in search of its first win in 2015 and falls to 0-4 (0-1 GNAC) this season.

It was a back-and-forth affair in the opening portion the match with both squads having open shots, but neither capitalizing on its attempts. 

As the clock ticked towards the 26th minute, the Lasers saw their first true opportunity. As the Rams' defense passed the ball back to Kirsten Weiker, senior Bridgett Munnelly (Bellingham, Mass.) broke away from the pack. The Lasers' midfielder caught up to the ball and had a one-on-one chance against Weiker, but the ball flew over the net and through the football goal posts to keep zeros across the board. 

Nearly 10 minutes passed before Lasell made its second striking move to be the first on the scoreboard. From the right corner of the box, freshman Carly Zdanek (Newton, N.J.) fired a shot at Weiker, who made the save with her body, but junior Devon Day (Hartsdale, Vt.) was there to pick up the pieces on the left side. Day sent the ball to the back of the netting for the first time this season to put the Lasers up 1-0. 

Ten minutes into the second half, Jennifer Martin stole the ball from Lasell's Leah Suto at the Rams' 40-yeard line. The sophomore dribbled up the length of the turf and had a two-on-one with Alexandra Nagri. Now in Lasers territory, Martin's pass slipped the defender and found Nagri at the 10-yard line. Off the sophomore forward's foot the ball sailed towards the target, but slipped to the right of the posts and the score remained 1-0 in favor of the visitors. 

Martin took a free kick after a Lasell foul and sent the ball into the box. Nagri took the ball and finished to level at the game at 1-1 at 66:20, with her second tally of the season. 

The tie was short lived as the Lasers swarmed Weiker in the box. The first-year netminder turned away Zdanek's shot, but could not stop Munnelly's put-back, as the guests went back on top, 2-1, at the 73rd minute. 

Lasell mustered up a number of attempts, but Weiker made crucial catches to keep it a one-goal game. As the time struck 82:10, Day sent a lob to sophomore Casey Meissner (Sandwich, Mass.) who used her head to record her first goal of the season and keep the Lasers in front, 3-1. 

Junior Megan Cullen (Amesbury, Mass.) added an insurance goal at the 85th minute mark off a pass from Meissner to seal the 4-1 victory for Lasell. Cullen has now scored in each contest played for the Lasers.

The Lasers, who return to action Wednesday, Sept. 16 against Colby-Sawyer, outshot the Rams, 33-9, including 19-5 on net. Weiker finished with a career-best 14 saves for the Rams, while Suffolk opens a four-game road swing Tuesday night at Emerson at 6 p.m.

Recap Courtesy of Suffolk University Sports Information