Women's Soccer Blanked by NEC

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The New England College women's soccer team picked up its first win of the season on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Mitchell College by a 5-0 final in non-conference action at Alumni Field.

Emily LePage netted a pair of goals to lead NEC's offensive attack. Michaela Pomeroy, Molly Bieksha and Tailor Chapin also found the back of the net in the contest, helping the Pilgrims to their highest goal total of the season.

The first half produced only one goal as NEC got on the scoreboard in the fifth minute on a tally by Pomeroy. Dawn Johnson chipped a pass over the Mitchell back line that Pomeroy finished for her first goal of the year.

The Pilgrims came out more aggressive in the second half, and the strategy paid immediate dividends as LePage scored in both the 54th and 55th minutes. The two goals came 34 seconds apart—the first off a feed by Jaycie Triandafilou and the second from Kaitlyn Kostigen—and raised LePage's team-leading total to four.

Bieksha made it 4-0 in the 72nd minute while Chapin knocked in the final goal of the day in the 84th. It marked the first goal of the season for each, as well as the first of Chapin's collegiate career.

The Pilgrims, who dominated time of possession throughout, outshot the Mariners by a 38-2 margin. Mitchell goalkeeper Jordan Lohneiss finished with a season-high 13 saves. NEC keeper Molly Gingras made one stop to record the clean sheet.

Mitchell (1-3-0 overall) will next open up conference play at home against Becker College on Saturday, September 23 at noon. New England College (1-6-1 overall) returns to action at home against Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday at 11 a.m.