Wellesley Soccer Blanks Regis for Fourth-Straight Victory

WESTON, Mass. – A second half surge led the Wellesley College soccer team to a 3-0 victory on the road at Regis College in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon. The Blue scored three second half goals and recorded their fourth-consecutive shut-out victory, moving to 5-1 on the season. The loss dips the Pride to 1-2-1 overall.

The visitors held a 7-2 advantage in shots in the first half and a 5-0 lead in corner kicks, including three in the first 10 minutes of play. After coming up empty on the first two set pieces, the Blue's Gabby Hartman recorded a shot on the third, with her attempt sailing just high.Three minutes later, Regis had a chance of its own, as Joana Rosa took a loose ball from inside the box and ripped a shot on net that was turned away by Wellesley goalie Claire Cerda, ending the Pride scoring threat, and keeping the game 0-0 into the break. 

Opening the second half, Wellesley exploded for three goals, all coming in a span of 25 minutes. Junior Abigail Hess started the scoring at the 50-minute mark, taking advantage of a corner kick opportunity. After playing the ball short, Hess collected the second pass and sent a cross to junior Juliette Fry who found the bottom right hand corner of the net for the game's first score and a 1-0 Wellesley advantage. 

Regis had a few chances to knot the score, but Rosa was stifled by Cerda again from the same spot as her first-half attempt, while Adena Joseph connected on a header but was denied by Cerda as well.

In the 63rd minute, first-year Melise Knowles scored her team-leading third goal of the season to put the Blue ahead, 2-0. Sophomore Sofia Diaz de Villegas took the ball just outside the box and sent a through ball in to Knowles, who ripped a shot to the opposite corner of the net for the score. Seven minute later, rookie Gen Crotty scored the first goal of her career, dribbling through the Pride defense and tallying an unassisted score to make it 3-0 Wellesley. 

Following the third goal of the game, Wellesley did not allow Regis a shot over the final 20-minutes of play to preserve the victory. The Blue ended the game with an 18-4 advantage in shots and a 9-0 edge in corner kicks. 

Cerda finished the game with four saves and the victory, while Regis' Rachel Gagnon stopped nine shots in the loss.  

Wellesley next plays on Wednesday night, traveling to Endicott for a 7:00pm kick-off. Regis is back in action on Tuesday, hosting Eastern Nazarene at 6:30pm.