BOSTON, Mass. – Two first half goals proved to be the difference maker as the Lasell College women's soccer team defeated Emmanuel College, 2-0, Saturday afternoon at Roberto Clemente Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action. With the victory the Lasers improve to 5-4 overall and stay unbeaten in GNAC play with a 3-0 mark. The loss drops the Saints to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the GNAC.
Lasell sophomore forward Megan Cullen (Amesbury, Mass.) got the scoring started with her sixth goal of the season during the 14th minute of play. Cullen was the beneficiary of a well placed through-ball from senior midfielder Kayla Lynch (Dover, N.H.) and was able to poke the ball into the left side of the net to make it 1-0.
The Lasers continued to push and made it 2-0 at the 34:31 marker of the opening stanza behind a score from sophomore midfielder Bridget Makles (Newington, Conn.). Makles was able to beat Emmanuel freshman keeper Victoria Laroche (Hudson, N.H.) with the help of an assist from junior Bridget Munnelly (Bellingham, Mass.).
At the half, Lasell held a 10-3 shots advantage as well as a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.
Emmanuel was able to pick up the intensity in the second half of play but unable to find the scoring column despite several opportunities during the action.
Senior forward Kelsie Dumas (Dalton, Mass.) and sophomore forward Courtney Freadman (Richmond, Mass.) both had semi-breakaway opportunities down the stretch but were stonewalled by Lasell freshman goalie Sarah LaClair. EC was able to outshoot Lasell in the second half, 7-3, but the score stayed unchanged in the 2-0 victory for Lasell.
LaClair made four saves in the victory, improving to 4-2 on the year while Larocha stopped six shots in the loss.
Emmanuel returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 1 when they head to Mount Ida College for another GNAC tilt at 7:00 PM while the Lasers are back in the Fenway the same night, facing Simmons College at 7:00 PM.