Late Goal Lifts Women's Soccer at Mitchell, 3-2
Sept. 28, 2011
NEW LONDON, CT-Junior midfielder Vanessa DeMelo (Fall River, MA/Durfee HS/CCRI) scored on a free kick with two minutes and 50 seconds remaining to lift the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over host Mitchell, in a non-conference match at Alumni Field Wednesday afternoon.
Demelo took the free kick from outside the box and curved it into the net to break a 2-2 tie.
Sophomore forward Erica Jonasson (Wrentham, MA/Tri-County HS) put UMD on top, converting passes from freshman midfielder Danielle Gauvin (Fall River, MA/Durfee HS) and freshman midfielder Maura Gonsalves (Dartmouth, MA/Dartmouth HS) 10 minutes and 48 seconds into the first half.
The Mariners tied the game at 12:16 on an own goal, but Gonsalves converted a penalty kick after a Mitchell foul in the box to put UMD ahead, 2-1, at 13:08. Mitchell tied the score when Maariyah Lombardo headed home a free kick by Angie Smith at 17:11. The score remained tied until Demelo's late goal.
"We outplayed them, maintained possession, and everyone played well," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Nicole Hanewich. "Vanessa DeMelo's goal was definitely a clutch goal. We've lost several close games this season, and it was nice to pull one out at the end. It was nice to come out with a win, and it gives us momentum going into Saturday's game against RIC."
The Corsairs out shot the Mariners, 26-5. Sophomore goalkeeper Krista Chauvin (Seekonk, MA/Seekonk HS/Stonehill) made two saves for UMD, while Kaylee Woodford stopped 14 shots for Mitchell.
UMass Dartmouth improved to 6-4 with the victory, while Mitchell dropped to 3-2 with the defeat. The Corsairs will return to action when they host Rhode Island College Saturday.
UMASS DARTMOUTH SOCCER
