BEVERLY, Mass.- On a cold and wet afternoon, Endicott played host to Curry in women's soccer action as both teams had to battle difficult conditions with a fall nor'easter baring down on the North Shore. With both teams looking to improve their current standing in the CCC in time for playoffs, Endicott was able to claim a huge 4-0 victory to improve to 9-3-4 (5-1-1 CCC) on the season while Curry falls to 11-6-0 (1-6-0 CCC). The Gulls now have two days to prepare for CCC foe Wentworth on Saturday while the Colonels have the same time of preparation for Western New England.
Endicott got out to an early lead as senior Clare Mansfield (Stoneham, Mass.) tallied her first goal of the season on a free kick from 35 yards out. Mansfield fired her shot high to the right post and was able to beat Curry keeper Morgan Stott (Dartmouth, Mass.) to net her second career goal in the 13th minute of play.
The Gulls doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Hannah Shneidenbach (Charlestown, R.I.) worked a give and go with Madison McKinley (Shrewsbury, Mass.) for McKinley's third of the season. The junior took a quick pass from Shneidenbach at the top of the box and put her shot on frame, beating Stott low and just inside the right post.
Audrey Parolin nearly gave the Gulls their third of the match with just over seven minutes to go in the half as Cassandra Murano (Brunswick, Maine) found the sophomore streaking down the middle of the Colonels defense. Parolin took the feed in stride and one-touched a shot high that glanced off the cross-bar and over to keep the score 2-0 in favor of Endicott.
Curry's best shot to score in the first came with just over two minutes when Korinna Tsonis (Dartmouth, Mass.) pounced on a loose ball that had deflected off Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) and rolled just out of her reach. Tsonis fired a shot on net that was blocked by Mansfield who hustled back into the play and fronted the forward to deflect the shot away.
Endicott then countered one last time with Murano getting a quality look in the 43rd minute that Stott saved nicely to preserve the 2-0 deficit that would hold at the close of the half. Endicott out-shot Curry nine to two in the first half while also earning three corners to none for the visitors. The Gulls were also whistled for four fouls compared to three for the Colonels.
Endicott started the second half off with the same aggression they showed in the first, as Schneidenbach and Ally George (Stratham, N.H.) registered shots within the first four minutes of the second half that sailed high and right, keeping the score 2-0.
The visitors continued applying the pressure as the wind and rain picked up throughout the second half. Curry nearly cut the Endicott lead in half with 19 minutes remaining in the second as Kelsey O'Brien (Danvers, Mass.) gained possession on the ride flank. O'Brien was able to get off a hard, low liner that was caught by Donnelly to keep the Colonels off the board. Following an Endicott foul 25 yards out from its own goal, Stefanie Faucher (No. Grosvenordale, Conn.) lined up a free kick and looked to use the wind and slick turf to beat Donnelly. Faucher's shot bounced once and skipped but was scooped up by Donnelly, preserving the team's two goal lead.
Endicott would receive insurance goals in the 88th and 90th minutes as Audrey Parolin (Cumberland, Maine) and LeeAnn Card (Paxton, Mass.) sealed the victory for the Gulls. It was the second goal of the season for each player as Parolin was assisted by George while Card's goal was unassisted after a long run that saw the junior weave through the Curry defenders.
The Gulls were led offensively by Card who totaled three shots, two of which were on goal while also adding a goal. Curry was led by O'Brien and Faucher, as both players recorded one shot on goal with two total shots. Donnelly would make three saves in the win to earn her fifth shutout of the season and improve her record to 9-3-4 while Stott made five saves in the setback to move her record to 11-6-0.
Even with the strong wind in their face, the Gulls still held the edge offensively in the second half, posting 10 shots to Curry's nine while each keeper made three saves. Curry held a 3-2 advantage in corners in the second as Endicott maintained a 5-3 advantage for the match. With the win, Endicott moves to 9-3-4 (5-1-1 CCC) and travels to Wentworth for a noon start on Saturday while Curry falls to 11-6-0 (1-6-0) and travels to Western New England for a 1:30 p.m. start. (Game Recap Courtesy of Endicott College)
