NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Regis College controlled the action throughout most of the night, and the Pride pulled away early in the second half for a 4-1 victory over Norwich University Saturday in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference women's soccer match at Sabine Field.
The Pride used their speed to get behind the Cadet defense right from the start, as Rachel Kelly (Whitman, Mass.) and Kaylee Francis (Millis, Mass.) took two shots apiece in the first three minutes that were stopped by Norwich goalie Kim Watt. In the seventh minute, Kelly once again found herself close to goal with the ball, and she slipped a shot inside the right post for her fourth goal of the season.
Regis continued to apply the offensive pressure, eventually creating a corner kick opportunity in the 22nd minute. Kerri Urquhart's (Burlington, Mass.) kick into the box was met by Valerie Gordon (Hudson, N.H.), who converted on a shot for her fourth goal of the year, increasing the Pride lead to 2-0.
Norwich finally gained some possession late in the first half. With six minutes remaining, Karyssa Lachance stole the ball and launched a long-distance shot towards net, where it sailed over the head of Regis keeper Ori Attridge (Westwood, Mass.) into the goal to cut the Cadet deficit in half.
The Cadets had a golden chance to tie the match right before halftime as Lachance once again rushed towards the net, but her shot was blocked, and the rebound ended up just outside the right post.
Regis seemed to regain its energy at halftime, as Francis was able to beat the Norwich defense and find the lower left corner of the net just 3:36 into the second half. Less than two minutes later, Emily Lange (Ashland, Mass.) gained possession and sent a shot towards net, where the right post redirected the ball into the left side of the net for her fifth goal of the season.
Norwich (6-10-1, 5-6-1 GNAC) had one more chance to get back into the match thanks to a corner kick opportunity in the 75th minute. However, Attridge was able to turn away a shot by Regan Covey, keeping the score in the Pride's favor the rest of the night.
The Pride outshot the Cadets, 18-11, led by Kelly and Francis with six shots apiece. Lachance and Covey paced Norwich with three shots apiece. Attridge earned her fifth win of the season after making five saves, while Watt collected seven saves as she attempted to keep her team in the match.
Regis (8-9, 5-6 GNAC) concludes the regular season at Emmanuel Wednesday night, Oct. 30, starting at 7 p.m.