LATE GOALS PUSH SAINTS PAST ELMIRA, 2-0

Sept. 13: The St. Lawrence University women’s soccer team scored a pair of unanswered goals in the final six minutes of the game to earn themselves a 2-0 victory over non-conference opponent Elmira College on Saturday afternoon in Elmira, NY.

The win gives the Saints their best start in six years, improving their unbeaten record to 5-0-1 overall, while Elmira, who is currently coached by former Saint standout Liz Masterson ’05, continues their losing streak as they fall to 0-5-0 in 2008.

Scoring for the Saints was senior midfielder and captain Lauren Sischo (Rodman, NY/South Jefferson), who tallied the game winner, and junior forward Megan Howard (Shelburne, VT/Champlain Valley Union).  Junior defender Courtney Hendrick (West Newton, MA/Newton North) assisted Howard’s goal.

The first half saw St. Lawrence triple the number of shots Elmira had taken as the visitors held a 9-3 edge with four close shots on goal, while each team tried to capitalize on their two corner kick opportunities but were unable to do so in the first 45 minutes of play.

The Scarlet and Brown was able to nearly shut down the Soaring Eagles’ offense in the second half, as Elmira was only able to take two shots in the entire period, while St. Lawrence continued to set up scoring opportunities, generating 13 shots in the final 45 minutes, with eight of those being on Elmira keeper Karissa Wilson.

 
It wasn’t until the 85th minute that Sischo beat an offsides trap on a through ball from a teammate to pass the ball around Wilson and into the low corner to give the Saints a 1-0 lead with just under six minutes to play.  Howard, building off the energy created by Sischo’s goal, found herself in scoring position a little under three minutes later as Hendrick played her a centering pass in front of the posts.  The forward calmly placed a slotted ball past Wilson for the Saints’ insurance goal of the contest.

Saints’ keeper Abby van Geldern (Rowayton, CT/Brien McMahon) had two saves in the contest, en route to her fourth shutout this season and the team’s fifth.  Wilson tallied six saves, while Elmira’s first half keeper Stacy Krom recorded four.

St. Lawrence returns to action next Saturday as they host Hartwick College in their final game before Liberty League play begins.  The game is scheduled for a 1:00 start on Sandy MacAllaster Field.