Thirteenth-ranked Wheaton hangs on against number-four Western, 1-0

September 6, 2008

NORTON, MA- Freshman Emily Vincunas' (Granville, MA/Wilbraham & Monson Academy) goal in the 17th minute held up as the game-winner, and the 13th-ranked Wheaton College women's soccer team hung on against number-four Western Connecticut State University in a rain-soaked Mirrione Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Ranked 13th in the country and third in New England by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the Lyons improved to 3-1, while the Colonials, who entered the week ranked fourth nationally and first in the region, suffered their first loss in falling to 1-1.

Vincunas' first career goal came at 16:59, as her header off a cross from senior Jessica Bramucci (Ludlow, MA/Wilbraham & Monson Academy) bounced off the ground and slipped just beneath the crossbar. Junior co-captain Rosie Levy (Torrance, CA/Chadwick School) also picked up an assist, as her initial pass from the right flank set up the play.

Wheaton had an opportunity to double its margin with just over 12 minutes to go before halftime, but sophomore Emily Hough's (Norwich, VT/Hanover) shot following a restart was stopped by senior netminder Shannon Cawley (Willimantic, CT/Windham). Just five minutes later, Wheaton freshman keeper Lindsay Leddy (Warwick, RI/Wheeler School) denied Colonial senior Catherine Nathans (New Fairfield, CT/Northern Valley Regional at Old Tappan), as the Lyons entered the break with the one-goal edge.

Hough's arcing shot off the crossbar two minutes into the second stanza nearly gave the hosts a two-goal advantage, but that proved to be just one of two Wheaton shots in the half, as Western created a barrage of scoring chances the rest of the way. During a five-minute span just past the midway point, the Colonials hit the crossbar twice, including on a Nathans shot from point-blank range in the 73rd minute. Just three minutes prior, Leddy stopped Nathans on another shot.

Hough did have a breakaway opportunity in the 82nd minute, but a Colonial defender forced her shot wide left. Western held a 6-2 shot edge in the half and 12-7 advantage for the game. The Colonials also took five of the game's eight corner kicks. Leddy recorded her second shutout after finishing with four stops, while Cawley had one first-half stop in the loss.

Wheaton continues its four-game homestand on Tuesday with a non-conference game against Emmanuel College at 4:30 p.m.

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