Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Freshman Emily Becher (Brooklyn, Conn.) scored the only two markers of the match to lift Eastern Connecticut State University to a 2-0 Little East Conference victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's women's soccer team this evening on Cressy Field.
The Corsairs (8-8, 3-3) fell out of contention to host a home match in the upcoming Little East Conference Championship Tournament as UMass Dartmouth clinched the No. 5 seed and will travel to the eventual No. 4 seed. The Warriors (10-5-1, 4-2) remain tied with Keene State College for the third place in the conference standings. Eastern Connecticut holds the tie-breaker by virtue of the win against Keene State College (10-8, 4-2).
The Warriors cracked the scoring column in the 17th minute, when Becher was able to run down a loose ball in the 18-yard box and beat the charging UMass Dartmouth keeper. Despite holding a 7-2 advantage in shots, the Corsairs entered the intermission trailing by a score.
Eastern Connecticut wasted little time in doubling its advantage as the visitors converted on their first shot of the second stanza. In the 49th minute, the Becher weaved through the box from right to left, freeing herself for a point-blank opportunity. It was her 12th goal of the season.
In between the pipes, junior Rachel Skelton (East Lyme, Conn.) made four saves in 90 minutes of action to post the shutout victory. Her counterpart, freshman Madison Boucher (Southampton, Mass.), stopped three of the five shots she faced.
The Corsairs held a 14-7 advantage in shots and a 4-1 lead in corner kicks.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29, when the Corsairs host Worcester State University. Prior to the match, UMass Dartmouth will honor its three seniors that are playing in their final regular-season home match.
