For Immediate Release
September 14, 2008
Wellesley Sports Information
Wellesley College Soccer Upsets #4 Skidmore; Blue Win Invitational
Box Score
WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Wellesley College soccer team upset fourth-ranked Skidmore College, 2-0, in the championship game of the Wellesley Invitational on Sunday afternoon in Wellesley. Skidmore's five game unbeaten streak was snapped to set the Thoroughbreds record to 5-1 while Wellesley improved to 2-0-1 on the season.
Wellesley took the lead 1-0 just five minutes into the game as the Blue were helped along by a rare own goal from the Skidmore defense.
After the miscue, Skidmore turned up the pressure and launched a heavy offensive attack, out shooting the Blue 11-5 in the first half. However, Wellesley keeper Katie Martore (Great Falls, VA) picked up seven first-half saves to keep the Blue up 1-0 at the break.
In the second half, Skidmore had a scoring opportunity as Rachel Sushner's attempt from 15-yards out hit the post and careened back in front of the goal. With the Wellesley keeper out of the net, Skidmore's Abby Benton launched a shot that was blocked by the Blue's Caitlin McCracken (Manhattan Beach, CA). After the block, Sushner had one more shot at the goal but Martore was able to scramble back in net and make the diving save with 38 minutes left to play.
Just over 30 seconds later, Wellesley's Ashley Farnsworth (Epping, N.H.) nailed a cross from the right side of the field to find Amanda Young (Palos Verdes Estates, CA) who knocked a header into the back of the net to increase the Wellesley lead to 2-0.
Over the final thirty minutes of play, Skidmore out shot the Blue 12-3, but Martore picked up seven more saves and Wellesley captain Katie Guynn (Salem, VA) also blocked a shot to keep the Thoroughbreds scoreless and preserve the Wellesley upset.
"It was a great team effort today," said Wellesley head coach Tony Mohammed. "Skidmore is a fantastic team, so we knew we had to be at our best. Winning takes a bit of luck and lots of hard work, today we were fortunate to have both. I couldn't be happier for our team, we got some momentum behind us now and seem to be getting stronger every game. "
For the game, Skidmore out shot Wellesley 26-9 and also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Martore, who was awarded Wellesley Invitational Most Valuable Player honors for the second straight year, totaled 15 saves in the shutout. For Skidmore, Ellie Shorey and Meghan Sleezer split time in net, each picking up one save.
The Blue picked up their second Wellesley Invitational title in as many years and will return to the field on Thursday with a 4:30 match-up against Bates College. Skidmore will travel to Smith College on Saturday at 1:00pm for their next game.
2008 Wellesley Invitational |
||
 |
 |
 |
Captains accept the '08 Trophy |
Katie Martore Awarded MVP |
2008 Wellesley Invite Champs |
Click on thumbnail for a larger image |
||
Montclair State Defeats Simmons in Wellesley Invitational Consolation
Box Score
WELLESLEY, Mass. – Montclair State University picked up a 3-1 win against Simmons College in the consolation game of the Wellesley Invitational. The Red Hawks improved to 3-2 with the result, while Simmons falls to 2-4-1 on the season.
Montclair took an early 2-0 lead on back-to-back goals from Natalia Sista. Sista knocked in the first at 12:55 and scored off of a Rachel Senyszyn assist a little over five minutes later.
Simmons cut the Montclair State lead to 2-1 when the Shark's Brooke MacKenzie scored unassisted at the 32 minute mark. However, the Red Hawks were able to hold on to the 2-1 lead at the break, out shooting Simmons 18-9 in the first half.
Montclair State opened the second half with 12-straight shots, hitting the back of the net at 59:41 as Angela Martone scored off of a Sista assist. Simmons could only manage one second half shot and the 3-1 lead held for Montclair State.
In net for Simmons, Rachel Elliott picked up 18 saves while the Red Hawk's Leah Tepperman saved five. Montclair State's Sista finished the game with two goals and an assist for 5 points.
Simmons will next be in action on Saturday at 1:00pm hosting Lasell College. Montclair State returns to the field on Wednesday at 3:30pm hosting Stevens.