(Courtesy of Salve Regina Sports Information)
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – Sophomore Kaitlin Birrell (Hope, R.I.) scored three goals to lead the Salve Regina University women's soccer team to a 3-2 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) action Saturday afternoon at Gaudet Field.
Juniors Liz Galla (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and Caitlin Eastwood (Seymour, Conn.), along with freshman Erin McCullough (Ludlow, Mass.), each picked up assists for the Seahawks, who improved to 3-4 (1-1 TCCC) on the season and snapped a five-game winless streak against the Leopards. Sophomore Carli Cabana (East Sandwich, Mass.) scored for WIT, which slipped to 2-3-1 (1-1-1 TCCC).
Birrell opened the scoring at 8:45 when she received a header from Eastwood and booted the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out. The Leopards evened the score at one with 2:25 remaining in the half when sophomore Cabana collected a loose ball and scored into an empty net. Salve Regina freshman goalkeeper Jacqueline McPherson (Mansfield, Mass.) was injured on the play and was replaced by classmate Jessica Lane (Marshfield, Mass.). McPherson tallied three saves before departing while sophomore goalie Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) made six saves in the half for WIT, which was outshot 13-6.
The Seahawks grabbed a 2-1 lead just 1:43 into the second half on Birrell's second of the afternoon and eighth of the season. Galla sent a cross pass to Birrell, who scored from five yards out. At the 70 minute mark, Birrell capped the hat trick when she one-timed a centering pass from McCullough into the top left corner of the net, giving her eight goals on the season. The Leopards cut the deficit to 3-2 at 84:12 when senior Jess Kruger (Belmont, N.H.) chipped the ball past Lane, who left the game with an injury following the play. Freshman Emily DaSilva (Danbury, Conn.) played the final 5:48 in goal for SRU and did not record a save.
The Seahawks outshot the Leopards 24-14 on the afternoon. Lane finished with three saves to earn her second win of the season while Gardner finished the afternoon with nine for the visitors.
The Seahawks return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Bristol for a 4 p.m. contest with Roger Williams. The Leopards host Western New England Tuesday at 4 p.m.
