BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore forward Amanda Roberts (Hudson, N.H.) broke a 0-0 tie in the 87th minute to lead the Emmanuel College women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology on Monday night. The non-conference game played under the lights at Roberto Clemente Field marked the 15th meeting between these two Colleges of the Fenway programs. With tonight's win, the Saints have topped the Leopards in nine of the fifteen contests and won the last seven-straight.
The hosts dominated the offensive play throughout the night. Emmanuel led Wentworth, 20-3, in first half shots, but the Saints were never able to find the back of the net in the opening frame. Leopard senior goalkeeper Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) was incredible all night for the visitors, stopping shot after Emmanuel shot, with many coming at point blank range. Much to the credit of Gardner, the two clubs entered the break scoreless at halftime.
Scoreless action continued through forty-two minutes of the second frame. Emmanuel got some great looks, including late-game scoring opportunities by Donandrea Myette (Portsmouth, R.I.), Darcey Sullivan (Dalton, Mass.), Lindsey Garvey (Warwick, R.I.) and Meghan Zerba (Cumberland, R.I.), all thwarted by Gardner's athleticism in net for the Leopards.
The Saints were finally able to get one past Gardner with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Garvey fired a shot off the right post, which rebounded to the left side of the box and Roberts was able to slip the ball in past a diving Gardner. The game-winner was Roberts' 6th career goal and her first of the season.
Gardner finished with a career-high 20 saves in a solid 90-minute effort for the Leopards. Emmanuel's senior keeper Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, N.Y.) picked up the win for the Saints, her fourth of the season, stopping both of Wentworth's shots on goal.
The Saints finished the night by out-shooting the Leopards, 39-6 (20-2 shots on goal).
With the win, Emmanuel now stands at 4-3 on the season. Wentworth drops to 1-4-1 with the loss. The Saints will play at home again this Wednesday night, when they host the Cadets of Norwich University in a GNAC contest beginning at 7:00 PM. Wentworth will play at UMass Dartmouth on Thursday in a non-conference game starting at 4:00 PM.
(Recap Courtesy of Emmanuel Sports Information)
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Wentworth........... 0 0 - 0
Emmanuel............ 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 86:13 EMM Amanda Roberts (1) (Lindsey Garvey)
Shots: Wentworth 6, Emmanuel 39
Saves: Wentworth 20 (Jess Gardner 20), Emmanuel 2 (Jessica D'Ottavio 2)
