Western Connecticut Edges Wentworth

BOSTON, Mass. – Senior midfielder Angela Wozniak (Ludlow, Mass.) netted a pair of assists as the Western Connecticut women's soccer team held off a late charge by Wentworth, prevailing 2-1 in a non-conference contest played at Sweeney Field.

The Visiting Colonials struck first when Wozniak took a corner kick from the right mark.  The quick kick found an open junior forward Jennifer Duran (Uncasville, Conn.) who would put home the shot to the left side at 15:17.  In the 37th minute of play Western Connecticut went up 2-0 when Wozniak served a corner kick that sophomore forward Lauren Francisco (Ludlow, Mass.) headed home at 36:39.

The score would remain 2-0 in favor of the visitors for the remainder of the half, as Western Connecticut held a 12-5 shot advantage and did not allow a shot on goal.

Wentworth got on the board early in the second half when junior forward Sarah Norkiewicz (Dracut, Mass.) set up freshman midfielder Kat Gonzalez (Middlebury, Conn.) for her first collegiate goal, on a shot to the low right side, at 46:24.

The Leopards kept the pressure on, in hopes of gaining the tying goal and had a corner kick with 19 seconds left.  However, the serve went wide of the net and the Colonials were able to run the clock down.

Freshman Amanda Simon (Brick, N.J.) made two saves – both in the second half – while Wentworth freshman Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) turned aside six shots.  The Colonials held an 18-9 shot advantage, including 8-3 on goal, and held a slight edge in corner kicks (4-3).

Both teams return to conference play this weekend with Western Connecticut (3-2) hosting cross-state rival Eastern Connecticut at 6:00 p.m., and Wentworth (1-5) traveling to Eastern Nazarene for an 11:00 a.m. start.