Early Goal Pushes UNE Past Wellesley Soccer, 1-0

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Jackie Dickerson's 19th-minute goal proved to be the game-winner as the University of New England women's soccer team recorded a 1-0 win over host Wellesley College on Sunday afternoon. The win lifts UNE to 2-2 overall, while the Blue dip to 1-3.

In a closely matched game, it was Wellesley that held the shots advantage, with a slim 9-7 edge. UNE was able to capitalize, however, as Dickerson drove in from the left side to rocket a shot that went off the hands of the Wellesley keeper and into the back of the net

After the UNE goal in the first half, the Nor'easters had two more good opportunities to score, but Dickerson's attempt went wide, and Morgan Humphrey's shot was saved by Wellesley's Claire Cerda.The Blue's best scoring chance in the period came in the 33rd minute, when Juliette Fry's ball was saved by Brielle Robinson, keeping the game 1-0 UNE at the break.

In the 64th minute, Wellesley's Emily Wilson nearly tallied the equalizer, but her attempt hit the post, keeping the Blue off the board. UNE's Taylor Leborgne followed Wilson's near miss with close one of her own, but Cerda made the save to squash the Nor'easter's final shot on goal. 

Wellesley had two other scoring chances in the final 12 minutes of play, but both Fry and Lena Cardoso's shots were saved by Robinson to keep the game 1-0 in favor of UNE.

Robinson finished with three saves for UNE, while Cerda stopped a pair for the Blue.

Wellesley continues its home stand on Wednesday, as the Blue host Lesley at 4:15pm. UNE is also back in action on Wednesday, hosting Husson at 5:00pm.