Lyons reach double-figure shutout mark with 1-0 victory over Babson

October 16, 2007

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College women's soccer team posted its 10th shutout of the season while remaining unbeaten in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play Tuesday afternoon, as the Lyons blanked Babson College, 1-0 at Mirrione Stadium. Today's shutout marked the ninth consecutive year in which Wheaton has reached double figures.

Stretching their winning streak to 12 games while extending their regular season unbeaten stretch to 31 contests and conference undefeated streak to 83 games, the Lyons, who entered today ranked seventh nationally and second in New England by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), are 15-0-1 on the year and 7-0 in league play. The Beavers fall to 8-6-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the NEWMAC.

Following 31 minutes of scoreless play in which neither team generated many chances, Wheaton senior Lauren Konopka (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) dumped a pass into the left side of the box to sophomore Rosie Levy (Torrance, CA/Chadwick School), who made a quick move to her left and deposited the game's eventual winner into the bottom right corner of the goal. In the first half, the Lyons held a slim 8-7 edge in shots and neither squad had a corner kick.

Freshman Melida Alvarez (Saugus, MA/Buckingham Browne & Nichols) nearly made it a two-goal game in the 66th minute thanks to her shot from the right side of the box, but Babson sophomore goalie Sam Scarpato (Weston, MA/Noble & Greenough) managed to get her fingertips on it as the ball glanced off the crossbar and eventually rolled out of play.

Just five minutes later, the Beavers had their best shot at evening the score. Sophomore Sam Bartman (Upton, MA/Nipmuc Regional) lofted her 35-yard free kick into the box where junior Ingrid Osterholm (Chevy Chase, MD/Bethesda-Chevy Chase) directed a header toward the goal, but Lyon senior goalie Elana Cockburn (Chestnut Hill, MA/Brookline) lunged to her left to make the diving stop.

The visitors didn't threaten in the waning minutes, as Wheaton used several throw-ins deep in the Babson end to help run out the clock. Cockburn picked up a pair of saves in the second half, while senior Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) stopped two first-half shots and earned the win. Scarpato was credited with seven saves, as the hosts finished with edges of 13-11 in shots and 3-1 in corners.

The Lyons continue their three-game homestand on Thursday when they host Gordon College in the teams' final non-league contest of the season. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Babson (8-6-1, 4-2-1) 0 0 0
Wheaton (15-0-1, 7-0) 1 0 1

1st Half: WC- Rosie Levy (Lauren Konopka) 31:06

Goalie Saves: WC- Stacey Kronenberg (45:00) 2, Elana Cockburn (45:00) 2; BC- Sam Scarpato 7

Shots: WC- 13; BC- 11

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