NEWTON, Mass. (10/31/15) – The Lasell College women's soccer team secured a spot in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) semifinal match with a 7-1 win over Rivier University Saturday afternoon at Taylor Field. The win extends the Lasers' record to 13-4-2 overall, while the Raiders conclude their 2015 campaign at 6-10-1.
Juniors Megan Cullen (Amesbury, Mass.) and Devon Day (Hartland, Vt.) scored twice in the winning effort for Lasell, while sophomore Casey Meissner (Sandwich, Mass.) and freshmen Sabrina Morais (Arlington, Mass.) and Carly Zdanek (Newton, N.J.) added a single tally apiece. Junior Maggie Cohoon (Derry, N.H.) netted the lone goal for the Raiders, assisted by senior Hayley Barnard (Bedford, N.H.).
The Lasers put up three goals in the first 12 minutes, capped by a Cullen rocket from junior Erin Smith (Gorham, Maine). Leading 6-0 after the halftime break, the Lasers were awarded with a free kick in the 53rd minute following a Rivier foul. Day lined up for the opportunity just outside the 18-yard-box, and sent a textbook ball to frame that skimmed the far post and routed into the net.
After 30 minutes of scoreless soccer, Barnard snuck a shot on goal that was originally stopped by freshman keeper Macie Sicard (Colchester, Vt.), but Cohoon was there to put away the rebound for the visitors' first tally of the game. Lasell remained composed throughout the closing minutes of the quarterfinal match, and secured the 7-1 victory as the clock struck 90:00 at Taylor Field.
Lasell sophomore keeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.) recorded a single save in 45 minutes to start the contest, advancing her overall record to 11-4-1. Freshman Carly Heintz (Simsbury, Conn.) stood in between the pipes for 33:53 of the second half recording three saves, while Sicard finished the game with two saves in 11:07 minutes of work. Sophomore net minder Lauren Goodspeed (Merrimack, N.H.) turned away eight shots on net for the visitors, and closes out the year at 6-10-1.
The Lasers dominated the shot column 24-14, and held a slim 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Lasell will host the University of Saint Joseph's (Conn.) on Tuesday, November 3 for the GNAC semifinal match with kick-off slated for 1:30 p.m.