Leopards Upend Lions, 2-1

(Release Courtesy of Emerson Sports Information)

BOSTON, Mass. - Wentworth Institute of Technology scored two first half goals and withstood an offensive surge from Emerson College in the game's final 15 minutes to take a 2-1 non-conference women's soccer victory at Emerson's Rotch Field.

The Leopards opened the scoring in the 28th minute as Lucy Brown (Plainville, Conn.) drilled a direct kick form 22 yards from the right side to the upper left corner of the Lions' net.  Wentworth doubled the lead less than three minutes later as Deborah Lesky (Newton, Mass.) slammed a shot into the center of the net from 10 yards off a feed from Jess Kruger (Belmont, N.H.).

Emerson rallied late as Jennifer Stafford (Lake George, N.Y.) took a pass from Lindsay D'Andrea (Medford, N.J.) and snuck the ball into the lower left corner of the Leopards' net in the 76th minute.

Emerson coach David Suvak then switched Meghan Foehl (Cheshire, Conn.) to forward which gave the Lions' offense a much needed spark. Foehl had three shots in the final 15 minutes of the contest including one that clanged off the crossbar, but Wentworth keeper Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) was up to the task as she blanked the Lions for the final 14:35 to preserve the win.

The game was evenly played throughout with Wentworth holding a 19-18 edge in shots and a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.  Gardner had nine saves for the Leopards, while Jill Dean (Lynn, Mass.) had her second 10 save game in as many opportunities for Emerson.  Dean stopped eight Wentworth shots in the second half to keep the game within reach.

Emerson (0-2-0) will look for its first win of the season when the Lions host Lesley University on Thursday at 5:30.  Wentworth (1-0-1) will travel across Huntington Avenue to play Emmanuel at 7:00pm that same evening.