Wellesley, Mass. - Facing a 2-1 deficit with 17
minutes remaining, the Wellesley College soccer team fired off
three unanswered goals to defeat visiting Clark University, 4-2, on
a damp Saturday afternoon in Wellesley.
The Blue earn a key NEWMAC win to remain at the top of the
conference standings at 6-1-1, 8-5-2 overall while Clark falls to
4-2-2 in the NEWMAC, 8-6-2 overall.
The Blue opened play in front of a loud home crowd with a goal at
2:53, when a short cross from senior Catherine Caruso found
first-year Chelsea-Ann Patry, who hit the back of the net for a 1-0
lead.
The advantage was short lived, however, as Clark junior Laura
Hedden (East Greenbush, N.Y.) needed just 42 seconds
to tally the equalizer on the ensuing possession.
Clark went ahead 2-1 in the 20th minute after a saved shot off the
foot of Kari
Mruz (Hingham, Mass.) caromed out in front of
sophomore Erin
Peete (Clinton, Mass). With the Wellesley keeper out
of position from the save, Peete scored for a Cougar lead with 70
minutes remaining in the game.
Neither team managed another score in the first half and Clark took
a 2-1 lead into the break, holding a 12-7 advantage in shots.
The second half featured 28-minutes of scoreless soccer until a
slick free kick goal from Wellesley first-year Megan Turchi knotted
the game at 2-2.
With the momentum shifted, the Blue took control of the game over
the remaining 17 minutes. Wellesley sophomore Meredith Roy tallied
the go-ahead goal at 84:49 to give the Blue a 3-2 lead. Two minutes
later, Patry scored unassisted as Wellesley enjoyed a 4-2 win on
Senior Day.
For Clark, senior goalkeeper Joanna
Clark (Windham, Maine) picked up two saves in the
loss. For Wellesley, senior Katie Martore recorded 11 saves, while
Patry finished with five total points on two goals and an
assist.
The Wellesley win forces a winner-take-all match-up Tuesday
afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in Wheaton. Both the Blue and the Lyons
sport matching 6-1-1 records and will play for the regular-season
title and the chance to host the NEWMAC final four. Clark returns
to action Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. playing at MIT for a chance to host
a first-round playoff game.