Mount Holyoke Hangs on to Early Lead to Down Blue Soccer, 1-0

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- Senior Alex Kenoian (Oak Park, Ill.) scored the only goal of the game nine minutes into the first half to send Mount Holyoke College to a 1-0 victory over Wellesley College soccer on Saturday afternoon. Mount Holyoke improves to 3-4-0 overall (1-1-0 NEWMAC) while dropping the Blue to 3-4-0 and 0-2-0 in conference action.

Wellesley sported rainbow laces during the match in support of United Soccer Coaches Second Annual Play With Pride Week (Sept. 17-23, 2018). The initiative was developed in 2017 by the association's LGBT Coaches and Allies Advocacy Group, with teams from across the country showing their support for athletes and coaches of all sexual orientations by wearing rainbow laces. 

Junior Hannah Finn-Erb (Northampton, Mass.) tallied her first assist of the season on the play, sending the ball through to Kenoian who finished on her first career goal and the eventual game-winner. The Lyons finished with a 6-3 edge in shots in the first half but held only a 1-0 lead at the break.

Wellesley outshot the hosts, 11-9, after the half but failed to find the equalizer. MHC senior goalkeeper Amanda Manaster (Beverly Hills, Calif.) made six saves after the break and finished with eight in the contest to earn her third career shutout. 

Junior Olivia Reckley (Grosse Ile, Mich.) was equally impressive for the Blue, finishing with nine saves on 10 Mount Holyoke shots on target. The Lyons finished the contest with a slim 15-14 lead in shots, despite the Blue edge in the second half. Junior Kendall You Mak (San Francisco, Calif.) had a team-high five shots for the Blue. 

Wellesley returns home to host No. 13 Brandeis in non-conference play on Tuesday at 4:00 PM. Mount Holyoke will also host a non-conference match-up on Tuesday, when they take on Bay Path at 6:00 PM.