Stiegler provides difference as Lyons down Pride, 2-1 in NEWMAC action

October 3, 2006

SPRINGFIELD, MA- Junior Jenna Stiegler (Madison, WI/Middleton) broke a deadlock with a 55th-minute game-winner as the nationally-ranked Wheaton College women's soccer team downed Springfield College, 2-1 on Tuesday night at Brock-Affleck Field. In a rematch of the 2005 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament championship game, the Lyons improved to 11-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference, while the regionally-ranked Pride fell to 6-3 and 2-1.

Wheaton, which is 13th in the country and second in New England according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), extended its conference unbeaten streak to 67 games by defeating the team it tied in last year's NEWMAC Tournament title tilt but fell to during the ensuing penalty kicks that decided the league champion. Since Wheaton's unbeaten streak began in 2000, the Lyons have played to three conference ties with only six league games decided by a lone goal. The Blue and White's current eight-game winning stretch has included five one-goal victories.

Freshman Rosie Levy (Torrance, CA/Chadwick School) put the Lyons on top during the 27th minute, converting sophomore Jessica Bramucci's (Ludlow, MA/Wilbraham and Monson Academy) pass for her first collegiate tally. The lead stood through halftime, but Springfield freshman Jillian Pereira (East Providence, RI/East Providence) knotted the score just 39 seconds after the intermission following a scramble in front of the net. Senior Michelle Bongiovanni (West Springfield, MA/West Springfield) assisted.

Stiegler found an opportune time to net her first game-winner of the season, heading home sophomore Angelamaria Viscomi's (Newton, MA/Newton North) corner kick cross less than 10 minutes after Springfield's equalizer. Stiegler's second goal of the season came at 54:30. The Pride had a golden scoring chance following Stiegler's tally, but sophomore Kayla Thibeault (Lebanon, CT/Lyman Memorial) was unable to bury the game-tying goal on a breakaway.

For the game, Wheaton held advantages of 14-9 in shots and 5-2 in corners. Junior Elana Cockburn (Chestnut Hill, MA/Brookline) stopped two shots during a scoreless first half before classmate Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) made three saves in the second stanza for her sixth victory of the season. Kronenberg's shutout streak of 357:52 came to an end with the Pride's goal. Sophomore Sue Jenney (Agawam, MA/Agawam) made four saves for Springfield.

Wheaton hosts Wellesley College on Saturday in a battle between the NEWMAC's lone undefeated teams. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Wheaton (11-1, 3-0) 1 1 2
Springfield (6-3, 2-1) 0 1 1

1st Half: WC- Rosie Levy (Jessica Bramucci) 26:57

2nd Half: SC- Jillian Pereira (Michelle Bongiovanni) 45:39; WC- Jenna Stiegler (Angelamaria Viscomi) 54:30

Goalie Saves: WC- Elana Cockburn (45:00) 2, Stacey Kronenberg (45:00) 3; SC- Sue Jenney 4

Shots: WC- 14; SC- 9

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