Oct. 10, 2010

Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. - Freshman Ashlynn Soellner scored in the 55th minute to give Navy (9-6-1, 2-1-0 PL) a 1-0 win over Holy Cross (3-7-2, 0-2-1 PL) in Patriot League women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Smith Stadium.

"We're happy to be 2-1 in league after having our first three games on the road," said head coach Carin Gabarra. "We still have some fine-tuning to do but we are confident with where we sit in the league right now."

Navy's Sam Newhaller made a run on a defender and forced Holy Cross to commit their third foul of the second half in the 55th minute. Junior Kate Herren took the ensuing free kick from about 35 yards out and sent the ball into the box where Soellner timed the ball perfectly and headed it into the right side of the net.

"Kate [Herren] has been serving the ball really well lately," said Soellner. "I made my run and I was able to time the ball well and get my head on it."

It was Soellner's sixth goal of the season and she now leads the team in the category. Soellner also has four game-winning goals. It was Herren's team-leading fifth assist of the season.

Freshman goalkeeper Alexes Lopez-Shaw was solid in net for Navy, playing the full 90 minutes and earning her first collegiate shutout.

"It was a pretty exciting and intense game," said Lopez-Shaw. "When Holy Cross got down, 1-0, they increased the pressure on us and our team was able to hold them."

Navy now has seven shutouts on the season, but it was the first time a singular goalkeeper played the whole game. Lopez-Shaw made three saves for the clean sheet and was aided by the play of Navy's defensive backline.

Navy had to fend off a frantic Holy Cross attack in the final five minutes of the game to preserve the win. Holy Cross played a nice ball into the box in the 85th minute but Lopez-Shaw was able to track down the ball before the incoming Crusader could get a foot on it.

In addition, the Crusaders earned two corner kicks in the final two minutes of the game, but Navy's team defense was able to deny any serious scoring opportunities.

Both teams had chances to get on the board early in the first half. Navy first applied early pressure when Soellner peppered two shots on goal around the five-minute mark.

Holy Cross then had a scoring opportunity in the seventh minute when Shelby Strand fired but hit the cross bar. Strand later hit the cross bar again in the 74th minute.

The Mids nearly struck in the 31st minute when Carissa Youker broke through the Holy Cross defense in the 31st minute but the keeper moved up to make the save on Youker's shot.

After already leading 1-0, Navy had another chance in the 67th minute when Fallon Puppolo sent Youker on a run through the Holy Cross defense. Youker had a good look at the goal but the Holy Cross keeper made the save.

Navy held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal, but Holy Cross took the edge in overall shots, 12-8.

With the win, Navy is now 10-0-0 in its last 10 games against Holy Cross.

Navy's final four Patriot League games will all be at home, with the first coming against Bucknell on Saturday at 11:00 am.