Sophomore Meredith Moore scored twice as Stonehill opened NE-10 play with a 2-1 win over Franklin Pierce. |
Salem, Conn. native notches first career multi-goal effort for Skyhawks
EASTON, Mass. (September 16, 2015) – Sophomore forward Meredith Moore (Salem, Connecticut/East Lyme) recorded the first multi-goal performance of her collegiate career as the Stonehill College women's soccer team opened Northeast-10 Conference play with a 2-1 victory over Franklin Pierce University this afternoon at Skyhawk Field.
Moore has now scored in two consecutive matches, with all seven of her points this season coming in Stonehill's last three contests. The sophomore's two-goal effort helped the Skyhawks secure their third straight triumph over Franklin Pierce in Easton, following 1-0 victories during the 2011 and 2013 campaigns. Moore's two markers also represent the first two goals the Ravens have allowed this season, as they entered today's action having outscored opponents 10-0 during their 3-0 start.
After over 44 scoreless minutes of action, Moore staked the Skyhawks to a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds before halftime. Junior back Brianna Duserick (Canton, Massachusetts/Canton) sent a cross in from the left wing, which Moore collected before chipping a shot over Franklin Pierce senior goalkeeper Katie Weldon (Manchester, New Hampshire/Manchester West).
Stonehill would double its advantage 6:31 into the second half, as Moore fired a shot from 25 yards out into the upper right corner of the net. The Skyhawks nearly added a third goal in the 80th minute when junior back Claire O'Brien (West Hartford, Connecticut/Hall) hit the crossbar with an attempt, but it was Franklin Pierce that would strike next to pull within a goal late.
Ravens freshman forward Nathalia Maria da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Nahim Ahmad), who entered this afternoon's contest with a team-leading six points on two goals and two assists, received a pass into the box from senior midfielder Kaycee Pereira (Ludlow, Massachusetts/Ludlow), dribbled around a Skyhawk defender and beat Stonehill junior goalkeeper Jamie Block (Georgetown, Massachusetts/Georgetown) with a shot into the right corner of the net.
Block stopped four of the five attempts that came her way this afternoon, and was less than four minutes away from posting her third shutout of the season. Weldon made two saves for the Ravens on the other end.
Stonehill (2-2-1, 1-0 NE-10) will face a tough test this Saturday, as the Skyhawks are set to travel to Albany, New York for a matchup with the College of Saint Rose, currently ranked No. 9 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II Poll. Stonehill and Saint Rose played to a 1-1 draw last season on senior day in Easton. Franklin Pierce (3-1, 1-1 NE-10) returns home to host Merrimack College next Tuesday night.
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