Marble's Score Sends Blue Soccer Past Mount Holyoke

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College scored in the first half of action and the goal proved to be the game's lone tally as the Blue held on for a 1-0 victory over Mount Holyoke in NEWMAC soccer action on Saturday at the MHC Soccer Field.  With the win, Wellesley improves to 6-7-1 and 3-3-0 in conference play, while the Lyons slip to 2-9-2 and 1-5-0 in the NEWMAC.

Wellesley senior Jennifer Marble made it a 1-0 lead at 7:23 of the first half after sending in open shot from the middle. Junior Ava Mokhtari earned the lone assist on the goal after she carried it down the right side and ducked around an MHC defender to shift it to the center toward Marble.

The Lyons, who held a 5-4 advantage in shots for the half, had their own chances to score, including a nice read by senior Kiana Lussier, who sent a shot to the right for classmate Mallory Phaneuf. Her shot missed just wide of the net.

The pair nearly connected again with just 4:49 remaining in the half as Phaneuf sent a corner sailing into the middle for Lussier, whose header went just up and over the bar.

Neither team was able to score in the second half, but the Blue had the primary advantage in the frame with an 18-1 advantage in shots.  Junior Emily Wilson, who had a game-best seven shots, got two in on net quickly to start the second half.

The Blue continued to pressure throughout the frame and nearly capitalized with 9:17 remaining as junior Lena Cardoso found the ball through a mêlée in front of the net. Her shot sailed in but ricocheted right off the cross bar and out of play.

Wellesley first year Abby Aldridge also had a key shot for the visitors, but a great stop was made by Lyons' keeper Mackenzie Randall to keep it at a 1-0 game.

Mount Holyoke just could not overcome the disadvantage before time wound down. In goal, Blue netminder Claire Cerda posted the win with two saves. Randall stopped 12 shots in the loss for the Lyons.

Both teams return to action on Tuesday as Mount Holyoke hosts Clark at 6pm, while Wellesley welcomes Babson at 4pm.