CHICOPEE, Mass. – An early deficit caused the Southern Vermont College women's soccer team to play from behind, ultimately losing at Elms College, 2-0, on Saturday in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) action.
Elms freshman forward Marissa Yowell (Ashland, Mass.) scored both goals for the Blazers who move to 2-6-1 on the season, 1-1-0 in the NECC. With the loss, the Mountaineers are now 6-3-1 overall, 0-2-0 in conference play.
Despite practicing on a turf surface Friday, SVC couldn't match Elms' pace of play on their home surface. The Blazers' direct style put the Mountaineers on their heels, as Elms went ahead with Yowell's first of the day at the 1:31 mark.
Head coach Michael Zauzig commented that, "I think we'll learn from today that we can't take days off… I don't feel we were fully ready to play at the start."
The Mountaineers had opportunities, including a first-half shot by freshman Jess Magee (Sound Beach, N.Y.) that was tipped over the crossbar as one of three saves made by Elms goalkeeper Alexa Rinaudo (Bellmore, N.Y.).
Yowell's second goal came in the 32nd minute to bring the game to 2-0, a score which held for the remainder of the match.
SVC freshman keeper Liz Simonowicz (Chester, Mass.) saw her first collegiate action, saving the two shots she faced after replacing junior Catrina Cecchini (Montville, Conn.) in the 68th minute. Cecchini made four saves before leaving the game due to injury.
"If anything, it's nice to know we have seven more conference matches to get back up in the standings," said Zauzig. "I'm excited to see how the team responds to this game."
The Mountaineers continue their NECC schedule at 3 p.m. next Saturday when they host Newbury College. Elms looks to non-conference play with a 4 p.m. match at home on Tuesday against Wesleyan University (Conn.).