Soccer wins 2-0 vs. Coast Guard
Women’s Soccer raises record to 10-3-2 for the year
Allison M. Park ’12 notched a goal and an assist in MIT’s 2-0 victory over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in a NEWMAC women’s soccer game on Saturday afternoon. The win lifted the Engineers’ ledger to 10-3-2 for the year, marking their third straight 10-win campaign and fifth during the last six years. In addition, MIT raised its conference record to 5-1-2, which resulted in fourth-year head coach Martin Desmarias becoming the program’s all-time leader in league victories.
MIT wasted little time applying pressure on the Bears’ defense as it totaled 5 shots, 3 on goal, and 2 corner kicks during the first 15 minutes.
The Bears nearly capitalized on a miscue by the Engineers’ defense in the 14th minute. Goalie Meghan S. Wright ’13 quickly swooped in to thwart the scoring attempt. On the counterattack, Ambika M. Krishnamachar ’15 attempted to head the ball from the far side of the box; however, it deflected off a defender towards the sideline. Park then sent a low 15-yard blast to the near post to put MIT on the board.
Coast Guard almost had the equalizer late in the frame during a scramble just inside the top of the box. Wright came off her line to scoop up the ball but couldn’t hold on to it. Players from both sides attempted to gain possession; however, Wright pounced on the bouncing ball to end the threat.
Early in the second stanza, Stephanie D. Cooke ’13 sent a 25-yard strike to the far top corner that the Bears snatched at full extension. Moments later, MIT increased its lead to 2-0 in the 55th minute. Emily Kuo ’13 and Park exchanged several passes up the near sideline before putting the ball on the foot of Rachel A. Dias Carlson ’14. A quick touch from three yards in front of the net ricocheted off a defender into the goal.
The best opportunity for the Bears to end the shutout occurred in the 81st minute on a corner kick taken from the near side. The feed dribbled through the box and emerged close to one of their players who was unable to corral the ball and make a play on the open net.
In net, Wright turned away two shots for her eighth shutout of the season while the Coast Guard’s Mary Mills finished with 12 saves.
Next up for both squads will be home non-conference contests on Tuesday, Oct. 25. MIT will take on Husson University.