NEWTON, Mass. (10/5/13) – The Lasell College women's soccer team played to a scoreless draw with the visiting University of St. Joseph's Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference matchup at Taylor Field. The Lasers are now 7-2-1 overall and 4-0-1 in conference play while USJ is 7-3-1 on the season and 3-1-1 in GNAC action.

While Lasell held a 17-13 advantage in shots on the afternoon, however USJ placed 11 of their shots on goal compared to only six from the Lasers. Sophomore Melissa Dodge (Watertown, Conn.) made six saves in the match for USJ, while freshmen Gina Grimes (Pelham, N.H.) recorded 11 saves for Lasell in her first career start.

The first half of action was largely contested in the midfield, with USJ putting Lasell on their back foot and winning the possession battle while Lasell held a 6-2 edge in shots. The second half saw the game open up with both teams creating more chances and getting out on the break. USJ had the best opportunity of the match through the first 58 minutes of play when senior Patricia Nolan (Portland, Conn.) found space on the break and beat a Lasell defender to create a one-on-one with the Lasers keeper. Grimes closed the space and made a sliding stop on Nolan's shot to keep the contest scoreless.

Both teams tallied a shot each in the first extra period but were unable to break through. In the 108^th minute of play Lasell nearly ended the action when Kayla Lynch's (Dover, N.H.) low shot headed for the bottom right corner of the net. USJ keeper Dodge lunged back, snaring the rolling ball inches before it crossed the line to preserve the draw.

The University of St. Joseph will travel to Albertus Magnus College for another GNAC contest with the Falcons on Wednesday October 9^th for their next action, while Lasell will host Simmons College on Wednesday October 9^th at 3:30 p.m.