Henry tallies two goals, as Nerger puts the game-winner in the back of the net
Nerger tallied her second game-winning goal of the season and fourth career |
EASTON, Massachusetts (October 3, 2018) – The Stonehill College women's soccer team, ranked No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches' East Regional Poll, secured a Northeast-10 Conference victory over the University of New Haven, 3-2, Wednesday afternoon at Skyhawk Field.
Stonehill (7-4-0, 4-4-0 NE10) saw Kayla Henry (Belchertown, Massachusetts/Belchertown) with her fourth and fifth goals of the season and Elizabeth Nerger (Marshfield, Massachusetts/Marshfield) with her fourth goal of the season and second game-winning goal of the season. Nicole Geraghty (Bridgewater, Massachusetts/Bridgewater-Raynham), Henry, and Madalyn Fernbach (Plainview, New York/Plainview JFK) each chipped in an assist, while Kaitlin Brown (Walpole, Massachusetts/Walpole) matched her season high of nine saves in her 13th win of her career.
Both teams took the ball to their respective attacking thirds during the beginning of the first half, as Stonehill saw three shots to New Haven's two in the first 20 minutes. The Skyhawks then capitalized on a through ball from Geraghty up the middle of the field finding Henry for a strike to the back right post at 21:18 for an early 1-0 lead. New Haven tallied the equalizer 20 minutes later at 40:44 as the Chargers collected the cleared Skyhawk corner and drove the ball down the field as Alyssa McMahon chipped the ball to Megan Georges for the breakaway goal, 1-1. Stonehill responded two minutes later with the go-ahead goal, Henry's second of the game at 42:10. Fernbach recorded her first helper of the season, seventh career, recovering the ball after a deflection and tipping the ball to Henry to dump the ball in the back of the net for a 2-1 advantage right before the end of the half.
New Haven and Stonehill once again had early action in the second half as Nerger ripped a shot at the net in the 46th minute that was saved by Kyra Wolonsavich and the Chargers' McMahon registered one of her own after a free kick from 25 yards out in the 47th minute. The Skyhawks followed up with a tally from Nerger in the 48th minute, her fourth of the season, eighth of her career. Henry once again was involved in the play as she launched a cross from the right side to Nerger for the one touch to the back of the net at 47:46.
Brown matched her season high of nine saves in her 13th victory over her career |
New Haven quickly responded and saw two corners in the 51st minute, as the initial kick saw a shot that was lifted just below the crossbar that Brown punched over the bar for the second corner. The second half saw lots of action as Stonehill just edged New Haven in shots 13-12, but the Chargers saw nine saves compared to the Skyhawks six stops in the frame. Late in the half, roles were reversed as McMahon tallied a goal at 75:50 to cut the deficit to one, 3-2, with a helper from Georges. Georges had the initial shot that clipped the crossbar and McMahon collected the rebound to get it past the diving Brown. Stonehill continued to set up to try and get another goal on the board as they outshot New Haven 5-3 in the remaining minutes. The Chargers also controlled the ball with quick restarts in the last five minutes of play, as the Skyhawks' defense remained strong holding the lead, 3-2.
Stonehill will travel to New Haven, Connecticut, to face another NE10 Conference foe in Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday, October 6 with a 5:00 p.m. start time.
During the month of October, the women's soccer team will be wearing pink to honor anyone who is affected by breast cancer supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Skyhawks will be selling pink bracelets and t-shirts during their Play4TheCure contest on Saturday, October 20th at 11:00 a.m. on Skyhawk Field against Saint Michael's College. If you are interested in donating to the National Foundation for Cancer Research click here to head to the women's soccer Play4TheCure page.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
