WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College women's soccer team suffered a 4-1 non-conference loss to Emerson College on Tuesday night. With the win, the Lions improve to 8-2-1 on the year and the setback drops the Pride to 4-6-1. Regis wraps up their conference slate of games with a 2-6-1 record and will now focus on New England Collegiate Conference opponents.
The Pride had a tough go in the first half as they were smothered by the Lions defense and could only attempt one shot on net during the opening stanza.
Emerson got an early goal as freshman forward Jess Frost corralled a loose corner kick from teammate Natalie Benjamin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and used the goalpost to her advantage as Frost's shot ricocheted off the post and past Pride goaltender Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) to give the Lions the 1-0 lead.
Regis remained shot less until the 43rd minute of play when freshman forward Shaneika Jones (Springfield, Mass.) connected on a give-and-go with junior defender Courtney McWhinnie (Methuen, Mass.). McWhinnie drove down the left side and ripped a shot that was easily turned away by Lions goaltender Laura Gartelman (Hamburg, N.Y.).
The Crimson and Gold were outshot 17-1 in the first half, but found more room to work in the second half of play as they put three shots on net including one that ended up in the back of the cage. After allowing an own goal, the Pride set up shop in the Lions defensive zone, Tais Salles (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) corralled a loose ball in the box and set up Hannah Bouvette (Mattapoisett, Mass.) who chipped in her third goal of the season and cut the Pride deficit to 2-1.
Regis had two chances to tie up the score as Kristen Abreu (Woburn, Mass.) saw Michaela Bouvette (Mattapoisett, Mass.) open inside the box. Abreu lofted a crossing pass to Bouvette who leaped for a header chance, but the cross had too much on it and went past the end line and out of bounds. Sophomore defender Chelsea Browne (Watertown, N.Y.) has the last real opportunity for the Pride as she took a free kick after an Emerson foul and fired a shot that looked high enough, but came down right into the hands of Gartelman who secured the rock.
Emerson pulled away as they added two insurance goals as Tayllar Righini (Salem, N.H.) scored her seventh gino of the season in the 62nd minute and Alexandra Dezenzo (Randolph, N.J.) scored her team-leading ninth goal of the year.
Laura Gartelman remains undefeated as she secured her third win of the season while making three saves. Rachel Gagnon made a season-high 14 saves in the loss for the Pride.
Regis returns to action on Saturday as they travel to Daniel Webster College for a 1:00 p.m. contest with their conference rivals while Emerson returns to the pitch on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. to square off against Smith.