Late Goals from Dunham, Knowles Send Blue Soccer Past Coast Guard, 2-0

WELLESLEY, Mass. –Wellesley College soccer scored two goals in the final 3:52 of regulation to defeat the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 2-0, in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest on Tuesday at the Wellesley Athletics Fields Complex.

Wellesley moves to 8-5-3 overall with the win. More importantly, the Blue improve their conference record to 3-4-2 as they continue to race for a spot in the NEWMAC postseason. Coast Guard is now 6-10-0 overall and 0-7-1 in conference play.

Coast Guard goalkeeper Rachel Boohar (Oxford, Pa.) finished with a game-high 11 saves, turning back Wellesley throughout the contest before the Blue found the right combination to beat the Bears' first year late in regulation.

With just under four minutes to play in the contest, Wellesley senior Darlene Dang (Danvile, Calif) took a shot from the top of the penalty area that sent Boohar ranging well to her left. The Coast Guard goalkeeper stopped the initial drive but the rebound landed at the feet of sophomore Shawna Dunham (Paradise Valley, Ariz.), who deposited the ball into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

Dunham's goal set of a frantic final three minutes, as Coast Guard pushed for the equalizer and Wellesley pushed to keep possession. With just under three minutes to play, Coast Guard senior Sarah Hills (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was turned aside by Wellesley goalkeeper Kat Goldsmith (Armonk, N.Y.) on what would be the final chance of the game for the visitors.

As time ticked off the clock, and with the Blue back in possession, sophomore Melise Knowles (Diablo, Calif.) wrapped up the victory with a high shot from 25 yards out that sailed over Boohar and dropped into the goal with just 1.4 seconds left.

Goldsmith finished with six saves for Wellesley, as the Blue held a 21-10 advnatage in shots. Wellesley also had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

Wellesley will close out the regular season and their NEWMAC schedule on Saturday, October 31, with a 2:00 PM contest at Springfield. Coast Guard will host local-rival Mitchell in non-conference play on Thursday, October 29, at 6:00 PM.