Weston, Mass.-Tamra Comerford (Fremont, N.H.) scored New England's first goal on a breakaway dribble past two Regis College defenders, leaving just Regis keeper Bethany Frye (Adams, Mass.) to beat. That score opened the gates for New England to defeat Regis 3-1 Thursday.
Comerford's only shot on goal would be the Pilgrims first score as well. She would dribble past Regis defenders Kara Sharples (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Marie Kong (Boston, Mass.) before taking on Frye at the net. With a quick flick with her right foot the ball was behind a sliding Frye.
The score would come in the 19th minute for the Pilgrims, and Regis would attack the New England defense tallying its first and only score of the match five minutes later.
Assisted by Kelly Cadigan (Ware, Mass.) off a corner kick, the Pride's Ashley Hibbard (Marlborough, Mass.) played the ball to her feet, scoring to the left side of the net.
Kerry Hughes (Wallkill, N.Y.) attempted to save the shot, but among the crowd in front of the net her efforts fell short.
The Pilgrim defense only allowed five shots on goal, with Hughes making four saves. In comparison, New England had 12 shots, eight being on goal. Regis managed just six shots, with five of its attempts being on goal.
Shannon Tonelli (Easthampton, Mass.) had a chance to put Regis ahead, but her attempt would strike the left post of a nearly empty net. A crossed pass from Pride teammate Janelle Welsh (Worcester, Mass.) was played by Tonelli to the back left part of the net, but her shot struck just inside the post and bounced out.
On the rebound Welsh attempted to strike her shot quickly into the heart of the net, but the ball found its way into the arms of Hughes.
With Regis having its chance to take the lead, New England became more aggressive on offense.
Its determination paid off in the 38th minute when Catherine Plummer (New Milford, Conn.) assisted Amy Ordile (Winchendon, Mass.) to New England's second score of the game.
Entering the half New England had taken eight shots to the Pride's two. The two teams battled much of the second period with New England holding on to its one point advantage.
It wouldn't be until Veronica Hytner (St. James, N.Y.) scored in the 76th minute that the Pilgrims began a slow sigh of relief.
Hytner's score came from a penalty within box, leaving her to take the penalty kick against Frye. As she placed the ball to the ground, her shot sailed to the upper left post, just out of Frye's reach.
Regis would have few opportunities after the Pilgrims took the commanding lead. The Pride will attempt redemption Oct. 17 when it faces Anna Maria College as a part of its homecoming activities.
New England will face Nichols College at home on Oct. 17 at noon.