Western Connecticut State fends off host Wheaton, 2-1 in women's soccer

September 9, 2006

NORTON, MA- Nationally-ranked Wheaton College suffered only its second loss in the last 58 regular season home games Saturday afternoon, falling just short of regional power Western Connecticut State University, 2-1 in non-conference women's soccer action at Mirrione Stadium. The Colonials avenged last year's 1-0 NCAA Tournament loss to the Lyons in the second round.

Wheaton, which is tied for 15th in the country and ranked third in New England by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA), entered today's game with a 55-1-1 home record in their last 57 regular season contests. The Blue and White falls to 3-1 overall, while the Colonials stayed unbeaten at 3-0. Western was receiving votes in the national poll and was ranked fourth in the region.

The Colonials took an early 1-0 edge just 2:44 into the game, when junior Kim Crayco (Bolton, CT/Bolton) found open space at the top of the box and drove her shot past Wheaton junior keeper Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown). On the ensuing restart, Lyon freshman Lyndsey McManus (Marshfield, MA/Marshfield) blasted a midfield shot over the Western keeper's reach just three seconds later, setting an NCAA all-division women's record for fastest consecutive goals by opposing teams.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to recapture the lead in the 33rd minute, but Kronenberg made a point-blank save on a shot from freshman Jessica Sperlazza (Wallingford, CT/Lyman Hall), leaving the score deadlocked at one entering the break. Wheaton held a slight 6-5 edge in shots and a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.

In the second half, the Colonials regained the lead for good on a well-placed shot from sophomore Catherine Nathans (North Fairfield, CT/Northern Valley Regional at Old Tappan) 6:20 into the frame. Nathans used a left-footed boot to the bottom right corner of the net for the game-winner. McManus had a legitimate scoring chance midway through the half with a free kick inside the box, but her shot was deflected by the Western defense. Wheaton sophomore Jessica Bramucci's (Ludlow, MA/Wilbraham and Monson Academy) attempt in front of the net with 17 minutes to go sailed over the cross bar.

Kronenberg finished with four saves in defeat, while Colonial senior goalie Jenna Cappellieri (Stratford, CT/Masuk) had two stops. The Lyons outshot Western, 14-8 with a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.

The Lyons continue their three-game homestand on Tuesday against New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) foe Tufts University at 4:30 p.m. The game will mark a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament Sectional Semifinal, won by Tufts, 5-2.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Western Connecticut State (3-0) 1 1 2
Wheaton (3-1) 1 0 1

1st Half: WCSU- Kim Crayco (unassisted) 2:44; WC- Lyndsey McManus (Ashley Furr) 2:47

2nd Half: WCSU- Catherine Nathans (Jessica Gomes) 51:20

Goalie Saves: WC- Stacey Kronenberg 4; WCSU- Jenna Cappellieri 2

Shots: WC- 14; WCSU- 8

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