Navy Women Defeat Holy Cross, 2-1

by Matt Muzza
October 21, 2012

 

 

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Navy women's soccer team (17-1-1, 5-0-1 PL) clinched at least a share of the Patriot League regular season championship with its 2-1 win at Holy Cross (6-10-1, 2-4 PL) on Sunday at Smith Stadium. Navy will host Bucknell in the season finale next Saturday and a win or tie, or a Colgate loss or tie at American, would give Navy the No. 1 seed and hosting responsibilities for the Patriot League postseason tournament (Nov. 2-4).

Junior forward Ashlynn Soellner (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) led Navy with a goal and an assist on Sunday and junior forward Paloma Perez (Mobile, Ala.) also scored as Navy won its second straight game and remained unbeaten over its last 18 (17-0-1).

"We had a lot of energy coming off the Army game and we played some good soccer today," head coach Carin Gabarra said. "We had good focus and continued to be tight in the back. It's always good to get a road win and getting two in one weekend is fantastic."

Navy scored its first goal just 1:06 into the contest. Junior midfielder Taylor Batye (Tampa, Fla.) won the ball 30 yards from the goal and played a ball to Soellner, who headed the ball to the far corner of the net.

The goal was Soellner's 10th of the year and she shares the team lead with sophomore forward Morgan Dankanich(Glenmoore, Pa.).

Dankanich keyed Navy's second goal in the 55th minute, playing the ball to Soellner who then feed to Perez on the right side. Perez then finished to the far side of the net with her fifth goal of the year.

Soellner's three points in the contest increased her season total to 27 on 10 goals and seven assists. Soellner has a team-best six points (1 goal, 4 assists) in conference play.

It appeared that Navy would take a 3-0 lead in the 58th minute when freshman midfielder Kaylie Davidson (Oceanside, Calif.) knocked in a rebound off of Soellner's shot, but the goal was waved off due to an offsides call.

Holy Cross' Gina Righini capitalized on a counterattack in the 73rd minute to give the Crusaders their lone goal.

Navy keeper Elizabeth Hoerner (Lititz, Pa.) made four saves to earn her 15th win of the season. Hoerner is 5-0-1 in Patriot League play with a 0.63 goals-against average.

Holy Cross out shot Navy 12-8 in the game and 9-1 in the second half. Holy Cross also held a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Both teams had three corner kicks.

Navy clinches at least a share of the league regular season crown for the seventh time in program history.

The Mids will host Bucknell on Saturday at 12 noon and the program will honor the three members of the Class of 2013 (Kelsey LearnedBrittany Fruin and Fallon Puppolo) prior to the game in a Senior Day ceremony.

Notes: Navy has 50 goals this season and has outscored its opponent in the first half, 24-4 ... The Mids are now 16-2-1 all-time against Holy Cross ... Navy's 17 wins are tied for the second most in program history ... Navy improves to 6-0-1 on the road ... Soellner moved into 13th place on Navy's career scoring list with 54 career points.

 

 

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