BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's soccer team hosted conference opponent Western New England for a homecoming matchup. Despite the 23 shots by Endicott, they were not enough as they fell to the Golden Bears 1-0. The Gulls move to 7-4-1, (2-1 CCC) while their opponents stand at 7-3-2, (2-1-1 CCC).
The first half was controlled by the Blue and Green as they led the frame in shots 7-3. Endicott started the pressure in the opening minutes forcing two shots on goal. At 9:42 freshman Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.) had a great opportunity to get a tally on the board as she ripped a point-blank shot at sophomore goalkeeper Briana Kubik (Blandford, Mass.) but she was able to come up with the save.
Three minutes later the Golden Bears got their chance at recording a goal when junior Tayler Mazurski (Wolcott, Conn.) was able to control the ball on the end line and lift it past junior goalkeeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) to the left top corner to take the 1-0 lead.
The goal only made the Gulls work harder, at 16:33 sophomore LeeAnn Card (Paxton, Mass.) had a great scoring opportunity when she controlled a cross and blasted to goal, but Kubik was able to lunge up and punch the ball out of play to save the lead. The Blue and Green kept chugging and forcing dangerous plays in the final third. With about 15 minutes remaining in the frame junior Ally George (Stratham, N.H.) ripped a shot from the 18 towards the right top corner, and Kurbik went to make the save but fumbled the ball and had to dive on the line to keep the Gulls scoreless to enter halftime.
The second frame brought even more of an offensive push from Endicott as they took 16 shots and held the Golden Bears to seven. Kubik would be forced to make three saves in the second half and would end the match with a total of eight. Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) would keep the team within striking distance as she made a huge save in the 74th minute. The WNE forward gained possession within the box and turned to fire a shot on net from seven feet out. Donnelly, acting quick on her feet, advanced as soon as possession was won and stoned her from point blank range.
The Gulls would muster a late surge as they would try to net the equalizer but it would be to no avail. Their best chance came in the 89th minute as the Mackenzie Gaudet (Concord, N.H.) stepped up to snap a shot off. Her shot would sail just high of the cross bar and would see the score remain at 1-0. The match would close with the same final score.
Endicott was led by Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.) and LeeAnn Card who were each able to register two shots on goal. Joseph's two shots on goal came on three total shots while Card's came on five shots. Western New England was led by Tayler Mazruski's three shots which included her goal. Teammate Sarah Marois (Waterford, N.Y.) registered a team high two shots on goal in the match. Kubik improves to 6-3-2 in net while Donnelly falls to 7-4-1 and has her seven match win streak snapped.
The Gulls return to action on Tuesday when they play host to the Jumbos of Tufts at 4 p.m. WNE is off until Wednesday when they play host to MCLA.
