Wentworth Defeats Emerson, 2-0, for First Win of 2009

BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman midfielder Stephanie Crockett (Bedford, Mass.) and sophomore midfielder Jess Cutler (Scituate, Mass.) each scored second half goals to lift the Wentworth women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Emerson.  The win, the Leopards' first of the 2009 campaign, snaps an eight-game losing streak dating back to the 2008 season.

Wentworth had the momentum early, keeping the ball in the Lions' end of the field for the first seven minutes.  However, the Leopards would only muster one shot during that time.  Emerson would apply pressure and outshot the host by a 6-0 margin over an eight-minute span.

Late in the half, both teams had an opportunity to break the tie, but could not find the back of the net, including a header off of a corner kick by Wentworth junior midfielder Lucy Brown (Plainville, Conn.) that was saved just before the horn sounded.  The Lions held an 8-4 shot advantage over the first 45:00, while shots on goal were even at three apiece.

 Just 32 seconds into the second half, the hosts would break the ice when freshman midfielder Deborah Lesky (Newton, Mass.) fed a pass to Crockett, who found an opening to the left side of the net for her first career goal.

The pace would remain back and forth until the 60^th minute when Emerson appeared to tie the game, but an offsides call negated the goal.

A free kick from junior midfielder Megan Rogoff (Uncasville, Conn.) would find its way to Cutler just outside of the right side of the goal mouth.  Her cross-field shot snuck inside the left post putting Wentworth up, 2-0, with 23:29 remaining.  Emerson had a chance to get on the board late, but sophomore netminder Katherine Matthews (Northboro, Mass.) made a key stop.

Matthews made nine saves in recording her first shutout of 2009, while Emerson senior Shayna Reich (West Hills, Calif.) made three saves.  The Lions outshot the Leopards 23-11 for the game.

With the win Wentworth improves to 1-2 on the season and travels to Emmanuel on Thursday night.  Emerson dropped its second straight game and is idle until Saturday when the Lions open Great Northeast Athletic Conference play at Mount Ida.