Women's Soccer Falls Short at Becker

LEICESTER, MASS. – Playing in the final regular season home game of her career, Becker senior midfielder Jodi Theriault made it one to remember, scoring two goals and assisting on a third as Becker College edged Mitchell College in NECC women's soccer action on Saturday at Alumni Field in Leicester.

The Hawks of Becker improved to 8-5-2 overall and 6-1-0 in the conference, taking sole possession of second place in the NECC standings with two regular season games remaining. The Mariners of Mitchell fell to 3-8-0 overall and 3-4-0 against NECC opponents.

Caroline Plunkett broke a scoreless tie in the 21st minute for her 20th goal of the season and the 61st of her career. The assist on the score went to Theriault, Plunkett's fellow senior. That 1-0 advantage remained the score at the end of the first period, with Becker holding a 5-3 edge in shots at the break.

The second half saw an offensive explosion. In the 58th minute, Mitchell freshman Alexandra Mahar scored the equalizer into the top right corner of the goal, her third of the season, with the assist to senior Lauren Fritsch. Just over a minute later, Theriault put the Hawks on top again with a blast from 18 yards out, her ninth of the season. The 2-1 Becker lead did not last long, as a mere 13 seconds later Mitchell freshman Katie McBride took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Becker defense, sending a shot over the keeper's head and knotting the score at 2-2.

That was the score in the 81st minute when Mitchell failed to clear a ball with the Mariners' netminder playing shallow, and Theriault blasted a shot in from over 30 yards out to put the Hawks up 3-2.

Becker goalkeeper Kaitlyn Rose finished with three saves on the day, while Mitchell freshman netminder Diamond Thomas tallied six. Plunkett needs one goal to tie the Becker single-season record for goals in a season.

Mitchell will play its final home game of the regular season against Lesley University on Wednesday, October 24 at 3:30 p.m.