Gulls Drop Tough 1-0 Non-Conference Decision to Tufts; Donnelly 10 Saves in Defeat

MEDFORD, Mass.- Playing their second to last non-conference match of the regular season, the Endicott women's soccer team took on a team in Tufts that entered the match ranked fifth in the region and came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision.  With the setback, Endicott falls to 6-3-3 (2-1-1 CCC) on the season while Tufts improves to 6-2-1 (2-2-1 NESCAC).  The Gulls now look ahead to Saturday when they travel to CCC rival Western New England for a 1:30 p.m. start.

Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) did everything she could to keep the Gulls in the match, tying her season high with 10 saves in the loss.  It was her first 10 save performance in regulation as the other occurrence was in a 2OT draw against Roger Williams.  Donnelly made six saves in the first half and four in the second as the Endicott keeper was challenged by the tough Jumbos offense who generated 23 shots on the afternoon.  

The Gulls nearly got on the board first when Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.) made a run and connected perfectly with a through ball from Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H) in the Tufts box.  Marinelli's one-timer was shot low and hard but was gathered by Jumbos keeper Eileen McGarry (Bolton, Mass.) to neutralize the attack.

The first half would proceed to end in a 0-0 draw with the home team holding the edge in shots (9-2) and corners (2-1).

Tufts would start the second half quick and would capitalize just under halfway into the second half as they would score the lone tally of the contest.  Sophomore Jess Capone (Schenectady, N.Y.) would net her fifth of the season after Victoria Stoj (Vernon, Conn.) lofted a cross into the box and to Capone's feet as the forward snapped a shot to the left post that ricocheted off and across the line.  

Endicott would counter quickly as it was Marinelli again involved on the attack as she sent a cross from the left wing that would carom off several players in the box and to the foot of Rebecca Litwin (Westborough, Mass.).  Litwin's short ranger shot was stopped again by McGarry, her second save of the match.

The Gulls nearly tied the match in the 82nd minute when Joseph found Madison McKinley (Shrewsbury, Mass.) along the right win.  McKinley was able to dribble to the top of the 18 yard marker and snap a curving ball to the upper right corner that sailed just over the cross bar and out of harm's way.

With the loss, Endicott falls to 6-3-3 (2-1-1 CCC) on the season while Tufts improves to 6-2-1 (2-2-1 NESCAC).  The Gulls now look ahead to Saturday when they travel to CCC rival Western New England for a 1:30 p.m. start.  Both teams enter the contest tied at 2-1-1 in the most recent CCC standings with five regular season conference matches left to be played.  Tufts travels to NESCAC foe Connecticut College for a 12:00 p.m. start on Saturday.