BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's soccer team hosted non-conference opponent Keene State on Saturday afternoon. After a scoreless first half and a 30 minute rain delay, sophomore Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.) tallied the game winner in the 60th minute to secure the 1-0 victory. Endicott has earned their first win of the season improving to 1-1-1 (0-0) while the Owls fall to 2-2-0 (0-0 LEC).
Endicott will see action next on Wednesday, September 6th as they travel to non-conference opponent Smith for a 4:30 p.m. start. Keene will also play next on Wednesday when they travel to Middlebury for a 4:00 p.m. kick off.
The first half was a controlled by the Gulls who held the Owls to just three shots to Endicott's 12 while taking six corner kicks. The Blue and Green worked their offensive pressure in the final third with strong efforts from juniors Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.), Joseph and Laura Wysocki (Somers, Conn.) all who pressured Keene State goalkeeper, forcing her to make six saves in the half. Working for that offensive pressure was controlled by a strong Endicott midfield led by LeeAnn Card (Paxton, Mass.).
Keene State worked to create some offense but just could not execute in the final third leaving senior goalkeeper, Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) with just two saves in the stalemate half.
Before the second half began a storm of thunder and lightning swept through forcing the game to be delayed 30 minutes. When the game continued at the start of the second half the Blue and Green were on fire as they took 16 shots in the half while holding the Owls to just two.
The Gulls worked consistently towards goal having amazing opportunities. In the 60th minute Joseph tallied the lone goal of the game after she received a feed from Wysocki and blasted the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the first for Joseph on the season and seventh of her career while Wysocki also earned her first assist on the season and third of her career.
The remainder of the half showed a hungry flock of Gulls who were eager to add more tallies to the board. In the 62nd minute the Blue and Green blasted three straight shots in the box, two that were just blocked and a final rip by Marinelli that just soared high. Donnelly came away with two saves while her counterpart Victoria Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.)
As the minutes rolled by the clouds got darker as a second storm approached Endicott Stadium. At the 76th minute a spree of lightening was seen in the distance and forced a second delay. The weather only worsened with the delay and eventually the officials, coaches and administrators decided to call the game for the safety of the participants and spectators. Since the game went past the 70 minute mark the contest is marked as official by the NCAA leaving the Gulls with their first win of the 2014 season.
