SAINTS SHUTOUT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND

2-0; EARN SPOT IN CARDINAL CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP    

Sept. 5:  The St. Lawrence University women’s soccer team managed to contain non-conference opponent Western New England College’s offense to only one wide shot in 90 minutes of play as the Saints topped the Golden Bears 2-0 Friday night, earning a spot in Plattsburgh State’s championship game on Saturday, where they will face host team Plattsburgh.

The Scarlet and Brown improve to 3-0-0 overall, while Western New England lost their second game of the season to fall 0-2-0 in 2008.

Scoring for the Saints included junior forward Becca Townsend (Stockton, NJ/North Hunterdon)  and senior midfielder and captain Lauren Sischo (Rodman, NY/South Jefferson), while junior forward Megan Howard (Shelburne, VT/Champlain Valley Union) and sophomore midfielder Lizzie Bogosian (Manlius, NY/Loomis Chaffee) each added an assist to St. Lawrence’s efforts.

St. Lawrence seemed to take over the game early on, as they outshot the Golden Bears 6-1 in the first half, with Townsend tallying her second goal of the season only 17:12 into the game.  That one shot would be the only one Western New England would take in the Saints’ defensive territory, as the Scarlet and Brown was able to maintain possession and continue dominating the pitch, as they took seven more shots in the second half, including Sischo’s first goal of her senior campaign, which came just at the end of the 60th minute.

Of the Saints 13 total shots, they took seven on goal, while also holding a 5-0 advantage on corners.  Western New England keeper Jessica Covino made five saves in the contest, while the Saints’ starting keeper first year Abby van Geldern (Rowayton, CT/Brien McMahon) was not forced to make one save during the game.  The Saint came out as the 72nd minute hit, and rookie Kelsey Smith (Canastota, NY/Morrisville Central) took her spot between the posts as she enjoyed her first appearance in a collegiate game and finished out the contest for the remaining 19 minutes.

The Saints will face the Cardinals, who are now 2-0 in their season after defeating Norwich in an earlier game, in the championship game under the lights, as the scheduled start time is 7:00pm.