NORTON, Mass. – October 11, 2008 – The nationally-ranked Springfield College women’s soccer team scored twice in the opening 7:54 to key a 2-0 New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over Wheaton College on Saturday in Mirrione Stadium. The Lyons had not lost a regular season or postseason contest against a league foe since October 17, 2000, as its 91-game NEWMAC unbeaten streak came to an end.
Wheaton, which is receiving votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) national poll and is ranked fifth in New England, dropped to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in the league. Its conference unbeaten run had been the second longest in NCAA soccer history regardless of division or gender, as well as the longest active stretch. The Pride, which is tied for 22nd nationally and is ranked fourth in the region, improved to 8-2-2 and 3-0-1.
Springfield scored twice in a similar manner, sending a long ball over the Wheaton backs and to a streaking striker. In the sixth minute, freshman Jen Jahoda (Lebanon, Conn.) lofted a pass from midfield, and senior Lauren Peltier (Agawam, Mass.) split the defense, caught up with the ball, and found the lower right-hand corner at 5:40.
Just 2:14 later, graduate student Nicole Hanewich (Smithfield, R.I.) made it 2-0 after heading the ball beyond charging freshman keeper Lindsay Leddy (Warwick, RI/Wheeler School). Senior Kayla Thibeault (Lebanon, Conn.) assisted.
Wheaton had a pair of opportunities to get on the scoreboard later in the half, with sophomore Melida Alvarez (Saugus, MA/Buckingham Browne & Nichols) first hitting the far post from a bad angle in the 21st minute before rolling a shot wide after playing a through ball from classmate Emily Hough (Norwich, VT/Hanover) in the 28th minute.
After outshooting the Pride, 11-5 in the first half, the Lyons fired off only one of the seven attempts in the second stanza. Wheaton took all seven corner kicks in the game.
Leddy finished with three saves, while Springfield senior Sue Jenney (Agawam, Mass.) had a trio, as each were recorded in the first half.
