MIT keeps up solid form with 2-0 win
Women’s soccer team tops Smith
alexander c. bost—The Tech
Morgan K. Moroi ’16 and Olivia M. Struckman ’18 each located the back of the Smith College net as MIT defeated the Pioneers, 2-0, on Saturday, October 18 at Roberts Field at Steinbrenner Stadium in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play. With the win, MIT improves to 10-3-2 overall and 6-0-1 in the conference, while Smith falls to 5-6-1 and 3-3-0.
Smith’s Jackie Foody commenced the contest with an early goal-scoring opportunity when she drilled a shot from the far side that deflected off the cross bar and landed in the middle of the box. MIT’s defense cleared the ball out of the zone and didn’t allow the Pioneers to register another shot until late in the first half.
Moroi put MIT on the board with her sixth goal of the season when she pounced on a loose ball in the box and directed a shot past Smith’s goalkeeper Shelby Hall at 23:25. Struckman, who led the Engineers down the field prior to their goal, sent a cross into the box that was deflected off Hall’s hands and landed on Moroi’s foot.
MIT, which led 1-0 at the break, attempted to add to their lead with back-to-back attempts by Struckman and Ambika M. Krishnamachar ’15 at 46:09 and 48:02, but neither shot landed into the back of Smith’s cage. Struckman did manage to convert on a shot at 61:00 when she scored her eight goal of the season following a cross from Moroi.
Smith attempted to get on the board with shots late in the half by Kenza Mdarhri-Alaoui and Jenna Bicierro, but the first shot sailed high above the net, while the second and third attempts were stopped by goalkeeper Hannah M. Zlotnick ’17. Innis Hitt also tried to find the back of the MIT cage with a shot from outside the box, but it was turned away by Tech’s defense.
MIT outshot Smith, 15-9, and held an advantage in corners, five to two. Krishnamachar led all players with five shots, including three shots on goal. Lauren S. Ullmann ’17, who started the game for the Engineers, finished with three saves, while Zlotnick registered two stops. Hall finished with six saves, including four stops in the first half.
Both teams return to action Tuesday, October 21 as MIT travels to Salem State for a 4:00 p.m. start, while Smith heads to WPI for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.