Mariners Martyr Crusaders On Soccer Field

The Mitchell College women's soccer team held on to a second half lead through a late game surge by Eastern Nazarene College, defeating the Crusaders 2-1 on Monday. The following information was provided by David Longolucco, sports information director for Mitchell College:

After a scoreless first half, the Mariners (2-1-0 overall) took the lead in the 59th minute on a goal by freshman Maariyah Lombardo (Middletown, Conn./Middletown) and added another tally in the 79th minute from senior Nikki Hoxie (Winsted, Conn./Gilbert School). The Lions (4-4-0 overall) responded with a relentless attack on their offensive end that resulted in a score by Juliana Speno (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) with just over three minutes remaining, but they couldn’t muster the equalizer in the closing moments.

Neither side produced a great scoring chance in the opening half, though Eastern Nazarene held a 5-2 advantage in shots at the break. The second half was vastly different, however, as each side created opportunities through solid midfield play.

The Mariners, despite being outshot 20-6 in the contest, got on the scoreboard following an Eastern Nazarene foul that yielded a free kick from 40 yards out. Senior Angie Smith (Meriden, Conn./Platt) played a ball to the right post that squirted past goalkeeper Lisa Clark (West Deptford, N.J.) and was finished off by Lombardo. The goal was the first of her collegiate career.

Despite the 1-0 lead, Mitchell had trouble keeping the Lions at bay on the defensive end. ENC kept peppering the goal with shots but repeatedly came away empty. Speno had a great chance to tie the game in the 77th minute, but sophomore goalkeeper Kaylee Woodford (Niantic, Conn./Morgan School) slid in to deflect the shot at point-blank range.

Mitchell added the insurance goal with 11:14 to play in regulation. Hoxie dribbled the ball along the ENC end line and chipped a shot over the keeper into the side netting from a tough angle for her first goal of the season.

The Lions never quit and continued to assault the Mitchell goal. Speno blasted a shot off the crossbar in the 80th minute that was cleared away by the Mariners. Seconds later, Kara Webber (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) sent a shot just wide of the far post.

The two ENC players hooked up in the 87th minute to finally put the Lions on the board. Webber sent in a cross from the left side to the far post that Speno tracked down and finished. It was her fifth goal of the season.

Mitchell kept the ball away from goal in the final few minutes and held on for the victory. Woodford finished with a season-high eight saves in goal.

Mitchell will next open conference play at home against Southern Vermont College on Saturday, September 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern Nazarene gets back to action at home against Regis College on Tuesday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m.