SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- On a day in which the team dominated statistically but struggled to find the back of the net, the Gulls defeated the Golden Bears of Western New England (WNE) 1-0 in OT. Paige Marinelli's (Burlington, Conn.) team-leading fourth goal of the season was enough the lift Endicott to 7-3-3 (3-1-1 CCC) on the season while WNE fell to 5-6-3 (2-2-1 CCC). Endicott has a quick turnaround as they play host to Little East foe UMass Boston on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. while WNE returns to action Wednesday against Westfield State at 3:30 p.m.
Endicott out shot the Golden Bears 19-3 in the match, while also recording 11 shots on goal to zero for the hosts. The Gulls also held a five to three advantage in corners.
The first half saw the visiting Gulls fire 10 shots, six of which were on goal, forcing WNE keeper Briana Kubick (Blanford, Mass.) to make six saves. In comparison, Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) didn't have to make any as both of the WNE shots were off target. The Gulls recorded four of their five corners in the first half, putting pressure on the Golden Bears' backline throughout the half. Both teams would be whistled for four fouls in the half.
The second half would be more of the same as Endicott would post eight shots while limiting WNE to just one. Of the eight shots, four were on goal while WNE's lone shot was not. Both teams would record a single corner in the half as well while WNE recorded six fouls to Endicott's three.
The golden goal would come just 3:19 into the overtime period as Marinelli would be the beneficiary of a Rebecca Litwin (Westborough, Mass.) assist to lift the Gulls to victory. For Marinelli, the goal is her fourth of the season and gives her a team leading nine points while the assist is Litwin's first, tying her for second on the team with five points. Marinelli recorded three shots on the afternoon, all of which were on goal, which tied her for the team lead with Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.).
Endicott's back line of Besty Albiani (Stoneham, Mass.) Katherine Chipman (Brunswick, Maine), Shannon Hickey (East Haddam, Conn.) and Clare Mansfield (Stoneham, Mass.) were fantastic all day, holding the Golden Bears attack in check all afternoon. Offensively, Shelby McLenithan (Bennington, Vt.) led the Gulls with four total shots while Hickey and Hannah Schneidenbach (Charlestown, R.I.) recorded three and two shots, respectively.
The win held a bit of extra importance, as it also served as the 150th win for head coach Jodi Kenyon while at Endicott. Now in her 10th season, Kenyon is 150-51-17 (.688) overall and is 93-11-3 (.869) in CCC play. Over the last 10 seasons, the Gulls have won 5 CCC titles and have made 6 NCAA Tournament appearances which include a Sweet 16 appearance in 2006. During her tenure, Kenyon has also been named CCC Coach of the Year three separate times.
With the win, Endicott improves to 7-3-3 (3-1-1 CCC) on the season while WNE falls to 5-6-3 (2-2-1 CCC). The Gulls have a quick turnaround as they play host to Little East foe UMass Boston on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m., while WNE returns to action Wednesday against Westfield State at 3:30 p.m.
