Endicott Claims CCC Opener Over Eastern Nazarene 6-0

QUINCY, Mass.- The Endicott offense stayed hot on Saturday, scoring six more goals as they took down Eastern Nazarene 6-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener for both squads. With the win, Endicott moves to 3-0-1 (1-0-0 CCC) on the season while Eastern Nazarene falls to 0-4-0 (0-1-0 CCC).

The Gulls jumped out to a 4-0 lead at the half following goals from four different players while the defensive unit provided a stifling performance, holding the Lions without a shot in the frame. The scoring got underway in the 19th minute when freshman Hannah Pesci (Windham, N.H.) scored her first career goal at the 18:12 mark as she jumped on a loose ball in the box and put it in the back of the net. Less than six minutes later, junior Rachel Hanna (Chelmsford, Mass.) headed a cross from Paige Pratt (Topsfield, Mass.) past the Lions' keeper to give Endicott the 2-0 advantage.

Freshman Catherine Elkas (Holden, Mass.) would be involved on the next two goals, scoring in the 29th minute as she received an endline cross from Abigail Silverstein (Katonah, N.Y.) and one timed to give Endicott the 3-0 lead. Just under two minutes later, Elkas would cross to Sharlotte Pernice (West Springfield, Mass.) in the box Pernice would bury her shot to swell the lead to 4-0 heading into the break. Pernice wasn't done there as she scored her second of the match in the 53rd minute on a left-footed shot in the box before Paige Pratt wrapped up the scoring, potting her first of the season in the 77th minute off a direct kick to give Endicott the 6-0 win.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Pernice, the reigning CCC Offensive Player of the Week, has now tallied eight points on the season by scoring three goals and assisting on two others. Pernice is tied for third in the CCC in points.
• Pratt's goal and assist were both the first of her career. The junior defender has played in 19 career matches and has started all four this season.
• Elkas, a freshman, has now recorded points in her last three matches. This marked her first career match with both a goal and an assist as she now has six points on the season.
• Hanna's goal now ties her with Pernice for the team lead with three goals after she scored two in the team's 4-0 win over Salem St.
• Pesci's goal, the first of her career, also proved to be the eventual game winner.
• Goalies Caroline Armbruster (Stowe, Vt.) and Kristin Hartlage (Niskayuna, N.Y.) combined for the shutout as Hartlage made the only save of the match. 
• Endicott out-shot Eastern Nazarene 31-1 in the match, as the visitors also held a 10-3 advantage in corners. The Gulls are now 16-1-1 all-time against the Lions.

FOR THE FOES

• The Lions saw keepers Anastasia Swift (Morrisville, Vt.) and Griselda Minchaca (Whittier, Calif.) combine to make three saves in the setback.
• Senior Katherine Lawrence (Marlborough, Conn.) recorded the lone shot for the Lions.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (3-0-1, 1-0-0 CCC) plays host to NEWMAC foe Wellesley on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. while Eastern Nazarene travels to NECC foe Mitchell on Wednesday for a 4:30 p.m. start.

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