Women's Soccer Falls to UMass Dartmouth, 1-0

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth junior Maura Gonsalves (Dartmouth, Mass.) scored the lone goal of the match in the 13th minute to lift the Corsairs to a 1-0 victory over visiting Bridgewater State University this evening at Cressy Field.

UMass Dartmouth captured its fourth win in its past five matches to raise its overall record to 6-3-1, while the Bears evened their record at 4-4-1.

The Corsairs cracked the scoring column in the 13th minute, when Gonsalves recorded her fourth marker of the season. Senior Tori Pierce (Tiverton, R.I.) generated the scoring opportunity from the flip throw along the right sideline.  A Bridgewater State defender attempted to clear the throw-in out of the scoring area, but senior Jillian Van Ness (Agawam, Mass.) was able to flick a quick pass to Gonsalves.  Gonsalves controlled the pass with her back towards the net, and spun around to deliver the decisive strike just inside the lower left corner of the net.

With less than a minute remaining in regulation, the Bears created their finest scoring chance of the evening.  Junior Erica Jonasson (Wrentham, Mass.) delivered a crossing pass onto the foot of a charging sophomore MaryRose Griffin (Whitman, Mass.). Griffin's attempt was ticketed for the back of the net, but a UMass Dartmouth defender was able to clear the potential equalizer out of harm's way.

After managing just two shots (only one which was on frame) over the first 80 minutes of the game, the Bears put four shots on goal in the final ten minutes.

Senior Michelle Miller (Westford, Mass.) made four saves to earn her first shutout victory of the season, while her counterpart, sophomore Marissa Yowell (Ashland, Mass.) reached double figures in saves with 10 stops.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday at one.  The Corsairs travel to Little East foe Southern Maine, while the Bears entertain MASCAC rival Worcester State.