BEVERLY, Mass. – Sophomore Ali Leach's (Stowe, Vt.) goal in the 82nd minute of Wednesday evening's Commonwealth Coast Conference meeting with Endicott College proved to be the difference as the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's soccer team claimed a 1-0 victory against the Gulls.
Leach's goal occurred following an Endicott foul as the sophomore forward directed a feed from classmate Heather McDougall (Exeter, N.H.) into the right side of the net at 81:17. Neither team would register a single shot following the marker, helping the Leopards extend their current winning streak to eight games.
The win was the first regular-season victory by the Leopards over the Gulls since 2010 and marked the first time Wentworth prevailed at Endicott during the regular season.
With the victory Wentworth improves to 13-2-1 overall and 6-1-0 in conference play, while Endicott falls to 7-7-2 (4-3-1).
The Leopards concluded the opening session with 10 shots compared to Endicott's three attempts. Junior Rachel Perras (Portsmouth, R.I.) and sophomore Emily Richard (Fremont, N.H.) commenced the match with back-to-back shots, but both attempts were turned aside by Endicott sophomore Caroline Armbruster (Stowe, Vt.).
The stalemate continued with both teams trading shots, including a header by Richard at 35:22, which was blocked by the Gulls' backline. Wentworth also had an opportunity to net the game's initial marker late in the half off junior Mary Pastorelli's (Whitesboro, N.Y.) corner kick, however, the Black and Gold were unable to muster a shot.
Endicott senior Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.) recorded a pair of corner kicks early in the second session with her second attempt resulting in a header by Sharlotte Pernice (West Springfield, Mass.) that landed out of play.
Wentworth responded by tallying five consecutive shots, including a pair of attempts by freshman Madyson Reno (Simi Valley, Calif.), but none of the five shots landed in the Endicott net. Both teams continued to trade shots over the next few minutes before Leach tallied her sixth goal of the season.
The Leopards concluded the match by outshooting the Gulls, 17-8. Endicott and Wentworth both registered a pair of corner kicks, Armbruster recorded eight stops, and freshman Micaela Robinson (Goshen, N.Y.) turned aside five attempts for her fourth solo shutout of the season. The 10th shutout by the Leopards ties a program record which was set in 2004.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24 as Wentworth hosts Curry, while Endicott travels to Salve Regina with both matches scheduled to kick-off at 12:00 p.m.
