Nationally-ranked Lyons notch 9-1 win over Simmons to open season

August 31, 2007

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College women's soccer team opened its 2007 season by scoring eight unanswered goals in the final 66:52 of action against visiting Simmons College Friday afternoon, turning a 1-1 tie into a 9-1 triumph at Mirrione Stadium. Ranked 19th nationally in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll, the Lyons equaled the fourth-highest single-game scoring output in program history.

Wheaton freshman Emily Hough (Norwich, VT/Hanover) tallied the season's first score in the 10th minute, as her first career marker came on a header on a cross from senior Jenna Rabesa (Teaticket, MA/Falmouth). Simmons senior Diana Salvatore (South Weymouth, MA/Archbishop Williams) evened the score at 18:23 before the Lyons answered with a five-goal run during an 18:31 span to take a commanding 6-1 advantage into the half.

Hough assisted sophomore Katie Watson (Langley, WA/South Whidbey) for the eventual game-winning goal at 23:08. First-year Melida Alvarez (Saugus, MA/Loomis Chaffee School) posted back-to-back scores in her first collegiate action, while senior Ashley Furr (Chicopee, MA/Cathedral) finished the first-half scoring with a pair of tallies off corners from senior Erin Davis (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow). Furr had a hand in her team's final three goals of the stanza, as she also assisted on Alvarez's second score.

In the second half, junior Jessica Bramucci (Ludlow, MA/Wilbraham and Monson Academy) picked up right where the Blue and White offense left off, scoring twice in 5:31 to help give the hosts an 8-1 advantage. Junior Bailey Edwards (Austin, TX/Saint Stephen's Episcopal School) provided the game's final goal in the 83rd minute. Bramucci and Furr led the way with two goals and one assist apiece, Alvarez turned in a two-goal game and Davis finished with two helpers.

In net, seniors Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) and Elana Cockburn (Chestnut Hill, MA/Brookline) saw limited action in a split-half performance, while sophomore Rachel Elliott (Amherst, NH/Souhegan) amassed 12 saves on Wheaton's 41 shots. The Lyons also took eight corners.

Wheaton continues its three-game homestand on Sunday with a non-conference contest against Worcester State College. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Simmons (0-1) 1 0 1
Wheaton (1-0) 6 3 9

1st Half: WC- Emily Hough (Jenna Rabesa) 9:15; SC- Diana Salvatore (Brittany Staszowski) 18:23; WC- Katie Watson (Hough) 23:08, Melida Alvarez (Jessica Bramucci) 26:46, Alvarez (Ashley Furr) 32:58, Furr (Erin Davis) 38:43, Furr (Davis) 41:39

2nd Half: WC- Bramucci (unassisted) 55:16, Bramucci (Colleen Liffers) 60:47, Bailey Edwards (Angelamaria Viscomi) 82:01

Goalie Saves: WC- Stacey Kronenberg (45:00) 0, Elana Cockburn (45:00) 0; SC- Rachel Elliott 12

Shots: WC- 41; SC- 2

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