Women's Soccer Sails Past Bay Path
LONGMEADOW, Mass. - The three Bay Path College seniors said goodbye in their final regular season game Wednesday afternoon at Ryan Field in a 6-0 loss against New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) rival Mitchell College in women's soccer action.
Midfielders Jacqui Siddle and Sara Antonacci and forward Sandra Caldas were each honored after the conclusion on the match for their four years of play at Bay Path.
Junior forward Leslie Briggs led the way for the Mariners attack with two goals and an assist. Mitchell evened its overall record to 7-7-1 and improved to 5-1-1 in NECC play.
Mitchell struck first in the eighth minute of play after junior midfielder Shannen Pelletier connected with a header off a cross inside by freshman teammate Caley McClendon. The goal would eventually prove to be the game winner for the Mariners.
Junior forward Nikki Hoxie made some huge drives down the field and led all players with six shots. She landed her 10th goal of the season after nailing the post on her first try and then took advantage of the rebound to net the second goal in the 16th minute of play.
Briggs would then connect with sophomore reservist Amanda Hernandez in the 25th minute after driving the ball up the center and passing it inside. Hernandez then made a flying leap over junior keeper Janise Shabazz to score the third goal.
The score would remain a 3-0 advantage to Mitchell heading into the halftime break.
Briggs netted the next two goals on unassisted efforts in the 50th and 53rd minutes. The final goal of the game came on an own goal by Bay Path to bring the final score to 6-0. Bay Path concludes its regular season at 4-11-0 overall and 3-5-0 in the conference play.
Shabazz would suffer the loss with five goals against and four saves, and freshman reserve keeper Ashley Ralston made four saves and allowed one goal. Mitchell freshman goalie Kaylee Woodford recorded her fourth shutout with four saves in the match.
Mitchell will play its regular season finale at Becker College on Saturday, October 30 at 1:30 p.m. A win against the Hawks would wrap up the second seed, along with a first-round bye, for the upcoming NECC Championship.