10/13/2007
Women's Soccer Falls Short in Defensive Battle vs. Wheaton College

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/13/07 - Lyndsey McManus’ (Marshfield, Mass.) free kick stood up as the game-winning goal in a defensive battle between Clark University and Wheaton College in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match on Senior Day Saturday at Granger Field.

With the loss, Clark draws even at 6-6-2 (3-3 NEWMAC), while Wheaton, ranked ninth in the nation and second in the region, stays unbeaten at 14-0-1 (6-0 NEWMAC). The win, which marks Wheaton’s ninth shutout of the season, extends their conference unbeaten streak to 82 games - the NCAA’s longest active streak.

Defensive play dominated the first half as neither team could get a shot off until Emily Hough (Norwich, Vt.) took a cross from Melida Alvarez (Saugus, Mass.) fourteen minutes into the game. The first-year forward shot it at the net, but Joanna Clark (Windham, Maine) was there to make the grab.

Amanda Ramos (Williston Park, N.Y.) gave Clark an opportunity to take the lead when she made a cross to the front of the net searching for Liz Adamcik (Florence, Mass.), but Lyons keeper Elana Cockburn (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) scooped up the ball before Adamcik could make a play. Adamcik had a second chance minutes later after she dodged a defender to get an open shot from the left side, but her bid flied wide right to leave the game scoreless at the break.

In the second half Alvarez nearly gave the Lyons the go-ahead when she drove the ball to the net. Her shot bounced off the far post and rested in front of the net giving the Lyons an opening, but Lauren King (Piscataway, N.J.) knocked it away to keep the game tied.

Wheaton notched the game-winner at the 60:40 mark when McManus’s free kick bounced off Clark’s hands and dribbled to the back of the net.

The Cougars nearly had the equalizer in the closing minutes of the game when Adamcik headed the ball to Ramos inside the box, but Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, Mass.), who took over in goal at the half, snatched it away to seal the victory.

Wheaton outshot the Cougars 17-2 in the contest. Clark is one of four teams to keep Wheaton within one goal this season. "I’m extremely pleased with how we played for 90 minutes," said head coach Joe Brady. "This is another game on our schedule that shows we can compete with anyone in New England - we just have to find a way to get a result."

Prior to the game Ramos, Adamcik, Deena Zakim (Newton, Mass.) and Jen Dineen (Groveland, Mass.) were all recognized for playing in their final regular season home game.

Clark begins a three game road series with conference rival Smith College on Wednesday (3:30 pm) while Wheaton faces Babson College on Tuesday (3:30 pm).

By: Bill Cobb, Sports Information Intern