BEVERLY, Mass.- Looking to continue the momentum created by Saturday's offensive outburst over Salve Regina, Endicott welcomed the Lions of Eastern Nazarene to the Nest on Tuesday and were able to win 3-0. The Gulls used an impressive offensive performance to keep the Lions' attack in check most of the night. With the win, Endicott improves to 9-5-1 overall and 4-1-0 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play. Eastern Nazarene drops to 8-6-0 and 1-4-0 in CCC action.
Endicott was able to grab the lead early behind Madison Missinne's (Ridgefield, Conn.) third goal of the season in the 8th minute. Missine was able to gain possession and take the ball down the left side of the field. With two quick touches, the senior got into the box and buried a shot into the lower right corner and past the Eastern Nazarene keeper.
Endicott would keep the pressure on the Lions' back line and would break through again in the 21st minute. Freshman Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.) took a beautiful through ball from Ashley Mueskes (Georgetown, Mass.) and slipped behind the defense with her quick move. Once there, she snapped a shot on frame and passed the keeper into the lower left corner. That made the score 2-0 as the Gulls continued to extend their offensive pressure.
The third goal of the evening was scored off of a corner taken by Mueskes. The sophomore was able to tee up the corner on the right side and put a solid cross into the box that cleared the defenders and found the foot of Laura Wysock (Somers, Conn.)i on the back post. Wysocki immediately knew what to do and rifled a shot near post into the lower left corner. That tally, her fourth of the season, increased the Gulls' lead to three as they led 3-0.
Eastern Nazarene's best scoring chance would come in the 67th minute when Jules Speno (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) found herself in space on the run from 25 yards out. Speno used a deft touch to lay the ball perfectly in front of her and took a shot that would bounce awkwardly in front of Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) before she corralled the shot for the save.
Endicott head coach Jodi Kenyon stated, "It was a solid team effort overall. We put forth a gritty defensive performance and we were able to limit their offensive opportunities. Our back line and pressure didn't allow their offense to take any shots from close range and that was pivotal in the win."
That score would stand until the final whistle as Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly would record her fourth shutout of the year. Donnelly made eight saves in the win as she improved her personal record to 9-5-1 on the season. For the Lions, Kristen Farley (Westminster, Mass.) made two saves in the loss. Speno led the visitors with four shots, all of which were on goal. Mueskes led Endicott with two assists while she also registered three shots, two of which were on frame.
With the win, Endicott turns their attention to yet another CCC battle as they travel to Milton, Mass. to take on Curry on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Nazarene is also off until Saturday when they host Western New England as part of their Homecoming Festivities.
