Wheaton Soccer Edges Wellesley, 1-0

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Wheaton's Julia Cipriano scored a 24th-minute goal to lead the visiting Lyons to a 1-0 NEWMAC victory over the Wellesley College soccer team. The win improves Wheaton to 2-0 in the conference, 7-4-1 overall, while the Blue fall to 1-1 in NEWMAC play, 4-7-1 overall.  

Midway through the first half, Cipriano broke a scoreless tie with her strike at 23:41. The sophomore blasted a deep ball from the left side that was just out of the outstretched arms of the Wellesley keeper, for her fifth score of the season.

Wellesley's best scoring opportunity in the half, came just over three minutes after the Wheaton goal. Lena Cardoso fought for a ball that she sent high and looping towards the Wheaton keeper, who was there for the save, keeping the Blue off the board.

Wheaton held a 12-2 advantage in shots at the break, while Wellesley had a 2-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.

Wellesley created a nice scoring opportunity in the 60th minute, with Kyla Petrie started the play. Petrie dribbled up field, passing to Juliette Fry who found LJ Foster coming up the right side. Foster's shot was hard and low from the right corner of the goal, but Wheaton's Lauren Thacker made the diving save. 

Wheaton nearly made it 2-0 on a corner kick from Lauren Corigliano in the 88th-minute. A a well paced kick deflected off of a several players and ended up hitting the post, but falling just outside the box, keeping the score 1-0.

The Lyons finished the game with a 17-4 advantage in shots, although Wellesley controlled possession for a good portion of the second half. Wheaton also ended with a 4-2 advantage in corners. 

Thacker finished with a pair of saves to earn a shut-out for Wheaton. Wellesley's Kat Goldsmith made six saves, suffering the loss. 

Wellesley continues its packed NEWMAC schedule on Tuesday, traveling to local rival Babson for a 4:00pm start. Wheaton also plays a NEWMAC game on Tuesday, heading to MIT for a 4:00pm clash.