10/18/2008
Wheaton College Holds Off Women's Soccer, 1-0

WORCESTER MASS. 10/18/08 - Freshman Kaitlyn Mawicke's (Trumbull, Conn.) goal midway through the first half stood up as the game-winner as Wheaton College held off a late charge by Clark University in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's soccer game played on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Granger Field. Wheaton, which entered todays game ranked sixth in New England by the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, raised its record to 12-4-1 overall and 4-1-1 in league play, while Clark dipped to 6-7 (3-3 NEWMAC).

Mawicke netted her first goal of the season in the 18th minute. She went one-on-one with Clark keeper Joanna Clark (Windham, Me.) and delivered a shot to the far left corner of the net for the game-winner.

The Cougars nearly tied the score just over a minute later, but a free-kick by Julia Rizzo (Westboro, Mass.) sailed just over the cross bar.

The visitors went into the break with an 8-3 shot advantage, while Clark held a 1-0 edge in corner kicks  the only one in the contest.

Clark pressured Wheaton's defense in the second half with a pair of strong scoring chances. Positioned on the left flank, Jess Mirkin (Wellesley, Mass.) sent a cross into the box, where teammate Molly Meehan (Scotch Plains, N.J.) had prime position. But Lyons goalie Lindsay Leddy (Warwick, R.I.) corralled the loose ball before the freshman forward got a foot on it in the 59th minute.

With just 1:32 left to play, sophomore Laura Hedden's (Albany, N.Y.) diving header off a pass from Meg O'Rourke drifted towards the goal, but Leddy dove on the ball before anyone else had a chance at it to secure her seventh shutout of the season.

For the day, Wheaton outshot Clark, 13-6.

Clark stopped five shots for the Cougars. Leddy was called on to make one save for Wheaton.

Both teams will play key NEWMAC games on Tuesday. Clark will travel to Mount Holyoke College for a 7 p.m. tilt, while Wheaton will host MIT at 3:45 p.m.