Worcester, Mass. – October 7, 2008 – Springfield College erupted for four second half goals to post a 4-0 New England WomenÂ's and MenÂ's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over Clark University in a womenÂ's soccer match-up at Granger Field on Tuesday night.
Tied for 22nd in the nation and fourth in New England by the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, the Pride improved to 7-2-2 (2-0-1 NEWMAC). Clark (5-5, 2-1 NEWMAC) dropped its first conference game of the season.
The Pride was led by striker Nicole Hanewich (Smithfield, R.I.) who notched two goals in the win.
Springfield had a number of quality scoring opportunities in the first half. Hanewich, who ran down the right flank, managed to escape the defenders and fire a shot that glanced off the crossbar and out of bounds. Six minutes later, Pride defender Delaney Cantrall (Santa Paula, Calif.) took a free kick from distance and also found the crossbar.
Springfield outshot the Cougars, 8-4, in the first half but couldnÂ't get anything by Clark keeper Joanna Clark (Windham, ME), who finished with six saves in the match.
ClarkÂ's best chance on the night came in the 44th minute when midfielder Julia Rizzo (Westboro, MA) sent a corner service towards the head of Sara Conway (Lynn, MA) whose bid gave Springfield keeper Sue Jenney (Agawam, Mass.) her first test of the day. Jenney punched the ball free and the first half came to an end at a stalemate.
Springfield didnÂ't waste any time in the second half. Junior forward Caitlin Sawczuk (Plainville, Conn.) broke the deadlock when she muscled through the defense and tapped the ball past the dive of Clark at 49:07. Springfield lit the lamp again less than two minutes later, when a sprinting Hanewich converted a clever volley pass from midfielder Jen Jahoda (Lebanon, Conn.) to put the visitors up 2-0.
Hanewich struck again in the 65th minute. The striker fired a shot from outside the 18-yard box that caromed off the crossbar and into the net for a 3-0 advantage. Sophomore Brittany Collins (South Windsor, Conn.) finished the attack with a solo effort goal at 79:18.
ClarkÂ's second half opportunities were limited. Cougar midfielder Charlotte Bowman (Peterborough, NH) fired two shots on net from range, but Jenney turned them away to finish with seven saves on the night.
Springfield outshot Clark 16-9 on the night and held the lead in corner kicks (10-7).
Clark will travel to Babson College for a NEWMAC contest on Saturday (Noon), while Springfield will play at Wheaton College in a battle of regionally ranked squads that same day at 1 p.m.
