For Immediate Release
October 24, 2009
Wellesley Sports Information
Three Second Half Goals Carry Wellesley Soccer Past Clark
Box Score
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 (Belmont, MA) found first-year Chelsea-Ann Patry (Warrenton, VA) 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, NY) 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, MA) caromed out in front of sophomore Erin Peete (Clinton, MA). 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 (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) 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 (Merrimack, NH) 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, ME) picked up two saves in the loss. For Wellesley, senior Katie Martore (Great Falls, VA) 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 next Tuesday afternoon at 3:00pm 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 7:00pm playing at MIT for a chance to host a first-round playoff game.