Trio of quick markers, fourth straight shutout send Wheaton past Gordon

October 18, 2007

NORTON, MA- The nationally-ranked Wheaton College women's soccer team scored three times during a 3:47 span of the second half, and the Lyons posted their fourth straight shutout with a 3-0 victory over Gordon College on Thursday in Mirrione Stadium. Wheaton, which is ranked seventh nationally and second in New England by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), stretched its regular season unbeaten run to 32 games and its winning streak to 13 in improving to 16-0-1. The Blue and White posted its 11th shutout of the season. The Fighting Scots fell to 10-5-1.

Wheaton held a 10-3 advantage in shots during the first half and had a handful of good chances to get on the board. Junior Jessica Bramucci (Ludlow, MA/Wilbraham and Monson Academy) had a corner kick hit the goal frame before later narrowly missing wide left after a failed Gordon clear.

The Fighting Scots nearly tallied in the 32nd minute, but junior Amanda Whittet's (Rye, NH/Portsmouth) shot at the right post following a corner kick was denied when Wheaton junior back Bailey Edwards (Austin, TX/Saint Stephen's Episcopal School) blocked the ball at the goal line and cleared. Lyon freshman Emily Hough (Norwich, VT/Hanover) had a good look in the 34th minute, but her shot toward the lower right was stopped and covered by sophomore keeper Abby Ytzen (Des Moines, IA/Des Moines Christian).

The Lyons took control with their three quick tallies in the second stanza. Freshman Melida Alvarez (Saugus, MA/Buckingham Browne & Nichols) was pulled down in the box during the 57th minute, setting up senior Erin Davis' (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) third penalty-kick goal of the season at 56:58 for the eventual winner.

Soon thereafter, senior Ashley Furr (Chicopee, MA/Cathedral) chipped a ball over a Gordon defender's head to classmate Jenna Rabesa (Teaticket, MA/Falmouth), whose cross from the left side of the box found freshman Barrie Lindsay (Ipswich, MA/Waring School) at the right side. As Lindsay caught up to the ball while rushing the endline, she sent the ball across the goal mouth into the left netting at 59:01 for her fourth marker.

In the 61st minute, Lindsay charged up the right side of the box and, while being flanked by a Gordon defender, crossed to Alvarez, who headed home her 18th goal of the season into the lower right of the net at 60:45.

Wheaton finished with a 23-4 advantage in shots, while sophomore Abby Isaac (Larchmont, NY/Proctor Academy) posted her third shutout behind two saves. Ytzen finished with seven stops.

The Lyons return to the pitch against Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on Saturday, when they can clinch at least a share of their ninth straight New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season title with a win. Wheaton's Homecoming weekend contest begins in Mirrione at 1:00 p.m.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Gordon (10-5-1) 0 0 0
Wheaton (16-0-1) 0 3 3

2nd Half: WC- Erin Davis (penalty kick) 56:58, Barrie Lindsay (Jenna Rabesa, Ashley Furr) 59:01, Melida Alvarez (Lindsay) 60:45

Goalie Saves: WC- Abby Isaac 2; GC- Abby Ytzen 7

Shots: WC- 23; GC- 4

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