O’Brien’s Late Goal Sends Stonehill Past American International, 1-0


Sophomore Claire O'Brien scored the game-winner in the 89th minute against AIC today.

Senior captain Kate Wegener registers five-save shutout in first career start in net

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 4, 2014) – Sophomore defender Claire O'Brien (West Hartford, Connecticut/Hall) scored on a free kick in the 89th minute to lift Stonehill College to a 1-0 victory over American International College this evening in Northeast-10 Conference women's soccer action at Abdow Field.

Senior captain Kate Wegener (Brockton, Massachusetts/Brockton), who has been a mainstay in the Stonehill midfield over the past four years, started her first collegiate match in net and registered a five-save shutout.

With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Stonehill was awarded a free kick 25 yards from the goal. O'Brien stepped in and delivered the game-winner, beating American International senior goalkeeper Samantha Tabak (North Haven, Connecticut/North Haven) for her second goal of the season. O'Brien also scored Stonehill's first goal in its Catholic Cup victory against Assumption.

Wegener was put to the test early, as the Yellow Jackets recorded a shot on goal in the seventh minute before adding two more in the next ten minutes. American International had an opportunity to score a minute before the Skyhawks got on the board in the 88th minute, but junior forward Alyssa Werbicki's (Chicopee, Massachusetts/Chicopee Comprehensive) header was saved by Wegener.

American International outshot the Skyhawks 10-7 in the game, and the Yellow Jackets also held a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Following this evening's contest, Stonehill (6-1-1, 4-1-1 NE-10) will be back in action with three matches at home next week. The Skyhawks are set to host the University of Bridgeport on Tuesday, followed by Southern New Hampshire University on Thursday in a makeup of the October 1st postponement, and finally Assumption College on Saturday. American International (2-6-1, 2-4-1 NE-10) returns to action on Tuesday at top-ranked Saint Rose.

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