BROOKLINE, Mass. – Sophomore midfielder Elizabeth Somma's (Windham, Maine) second goal of the season with 21:33 remaining snapped a scoreless tie and lifted the Wentworth women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Emerson in a non-league contest played at Parsons Field.
The Leopards (2-0) applied early pressure in front of the Lions (0-1) net and had a chance in the sixth minute of play when a freshman Olivia Moore (Salem, Conn.) header sailed just to the right of the Lions' goal. Wentworth continued to apply pressure and held a 6-1 shot advantage in the first 23 minutes. Emerson gained momentum and put a pair of shots on goal in the span of 1:04 but junior keeper Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) would keep it a scoreless game.
In the 41st minute the hosts had their best chance to break the ice, but a goal was negated due to an offsides call. Wentworth had two chances near the end of the half but would come up empty, despite holding a 9-6 shot advantage.
Coming into the second half the Leopards continued to apply pressure and would put five shots on goal in a span of 10 minutes, but Emerson freshman Alexandra Altman made key saves to keep it a scoreless contest.
At the 68:27 mark freshman Beverly Farris (Palmer, Mass.) took a throw-in from the far side of the field and found Somma, who split the defense and buried a shot to the lower right corner.
Wentworth looked to increase its lead in the late stages of the game by putting two shots on goal in a span of 26 seconds but Altman kept it a 1-0 game. In the 88th minute Emerson had a chance off a corner kick, but the service was cleared out.
Gardner picked up the shutout by recording five saves. Altman was solid in her collegiate debut, making 14 saves. Wentworth held a 23-10 shot advantage and a 5-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Leopards continue non-league play on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to Clark for a 4:00 game. Emerson returns to action Wednesday night at Lesley.
