Strong Start Sends Blue Soccer Past Visiting Babson, 2-1

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College soccer scored a pair of first half goals, including the game-winner from junior Melise Knowles (Diablo, Calif.), to down visiting Babson College, 2-1, in New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Tuesday afternoon at the Wellesley Fields Complex. 

Wellesley moves to an even 5-5-0 on the season and is now 2-1-0 in the NEWMAC. Babson slips to 5-4-2 overall and 3-2-0 in conference competition. 

The Blue got out to a 2-0 lead in opening 30 minutes of the contest. Senior Maddie Carlborg (Burbank, Calif.) scored the first Wellesley goal on a strike from 20 yards out, burying a set-up from classmate Kyla Petrie (Denton, Texas) at 21:32. The Blue then took a 2-0 lead on Knowles' second of the season, scoring on a set piece at 29:37.

Babson got one back before the half when first year Naomi Oki (Waimanalo, Hawaii) scored her first collegiate goal on an assist from senior Olivia Kerester (Chappaqua, N.Y.), but the Blue would keep the visitors off the score sheet following Oki's marker. 

Babson outshot the Blue in the game, 7-5, and in the second half, 3-2, but Wellesley first year Olivia Reckley (Grosse Isle, Mich.) made five saves to record her fifth win of the year. Reckley's final save of the contest came with just over five minutes to play, when she denied Babson first year Maya King (Auburndale, Mass.) following the final corner kick opportunity of the contest. Babson sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Mycock (Windham, Maine) made three saves in the setback.

Wellesley continues the NEWMAC season on Saturday, October 8, with a 2:00 PM NEWMAC match at Mount Holyoke. Babson will also hit the road on Saturday, when they will travel to Coast Guard for a 1:00 PM start.