Springfield Hangs on for 2-1 NEWMAC Win Over Blue Soccer

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield College scored two goals in the first half en route to a 2-1 victory over Wellesley College soccer in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Saturday afternoon at Brock-Affleck Field.

Springfield senior Nicole Fowler (Hudson, Mass.) assisted on the opening goal of the game before scoring the game-winner to help the Pride improve to 11-5-2 overall and 6-3-1 in conference. Wellesley concludes the 2015 season with a record of 8-6-3 overall and 3-5-2 in the NEWMAC.

With the Blue needing a win to potentially get in the conference tournament, Fowler set up sophomore Dakota Nicole (Bethany, Conn.) for the game's opening goal just 1:44 into the first half. Fowler took the Pride's first corner kick of the game, sending the ball into the penalty area where Kelly redirected it with her head for her third of the season.

Fowler then scored an unassisted marker in the 15^th minute, doubling the Blue deficit when she used a flip-thrown-in that tipped off the hands of Wellesley's Kat Goldsmith (Armonk, N.Y.) before finding a way into the net. 

Goldsmith made five saves for the Blue, while sophomore Ciara Boucher (Manchester, Conn.) turned aside an attempt from Blue junior Sumner Hanula (La Canada-Flintridge, Calif.) for her only save.

The Pride finished with a 14-4 shot advantage while also holding an 3-1 edge in corner kicks. 

The Blue got on the board late when senior Abby Hess (Claremont, Calif.) took advantage of a rebound off a shot from junior Maddie Carlborg (Burbank, Calif.) to cut the deficit to 2-1. However, Hess' first goal of the season came with just 59 seconds left in the game, as the Pride would hold on in the final minute to take the 2-1 win. 

Springfield, the three-time defending NEWMAC champion, will open conference tournament play on Tuesday, November 3, versus WPI. Today's contest concludes the 2015 season for Wellesley soccer.