Norton, Mass. – October 2, 2012 – The Springfield College women’s soccer team surrendered a goal with just five seconds remaining as it lost to rival Wheaton College, 1-0, in dramatic New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at Mirrione Stadium.

  Wheaton, which is ranked 14th in the country and tied for third in New England by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), is now 10-0-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.  Receiving national votes while ranking in a tie for sixth in New England, the Pride slips to 6-4 and 3-1.

  Wheaton’s winner came nearly one minute after Springfield hit the crossbar on the other end of the field.  Julia Cipriano received a pass from sophomore Gabriella Verdeand drove her shot into the lower left corner of the net and beyond the reach of senior goalie Erin Greenstein.

  With 1:04 to play in regulation, freshman Jessica Miller nearly gave the Pride a 1-0 advantage, but her shot nicked the crossbar before sailing over.  Not even two minutes into the second frame, the hosts almost broke the stalemate, as Cipriano got behind the Springfield defense and sent a shot just to the left of the goal frame.

  In an opening half that saw Wheaton hold a 6-5 edge in shots and a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks, the Lyons had the better chances, including a Cipriano header from point-blank range that was denied by Greenstein 20 minutes into play.

    Lyons freshman goalie Ali Hinton turned aside four shots in recording her first shutout, while Greenstein made three saves in defeat.

  Wheaton held a 12-11 edge in shots and took seven of the game’s 10 corners.

Springfield will next play on Saturday at home against WPI starting at 12:00 pm.