Springfield, Mass. - September 24, 2022 - The Springfield College women's soccer program took a 1-0 victory over Wellesley in NEWMAC play on Saturday afternoon. 

Springfield improves 2-0 in conference play, with a 4-2 record overall. The Pride outshot Wellesley, 22-5, earned nine corner kicks. 

Riley McNair earned 12 saves in the setback, while A. Harper (Taylorsville, Utah) deflected both of the shots on goal that they faced en route to the shutout victory. 

Springfield controlled the tempo from the start, controlling possession for much of the first half. The Pride were awarded five corner kicks in the first six minutes, which eventually resulted in the first score of the game. Kristina Kyle (Watertown, Conn.) took a touch off a corner kick and lofted a pass to Kaitlyn Suller (Oviedo, Fla.), who turned into the pass and punched in the early goal for Springfield to put the Pride ahead 1-0 just 2:43 into the contest. The Pride continued to dominate possession and swarm the Wellesley attack only allowing one shot in the first 45 minutes. Just before the half Springfield laid a flurry of chances on the net, yet McNair held down the Blue, collecting a pair of saves to keep the Springfield lead at 1-0 going to the half. 

At 35:40 in the second half, Thea Feldgoise looked for an opportunity to tie the game for the Blue, however Maddie Daigneault (Watertown, Conn.) cut off the opening and cleared the ball out for Springfield maintaining the one-goal lead. The Springfield offense looked to add to its total with two tremendous chances from Kaleigh Dale (Mansfield, Conn.), however, McNair dove to make stops on each try to help Wellesley stay within a score of Springfield. Wellesley's best chance came with just under 10 minutes to play as Marleigh Ausbrooks bombed a shot towards the goal to only be met by Harper, who collected the save for Springfield. That was the last attempt Wellesley had as the Pride were able to cruise to the shutout victory. 

Springfield wraps up non-conference play on Wednesday at home against Williams beginning at 7:00.