WELLESLEY COLLEGE SOCCER (#3 seed) vs. WHEATON (#1 seed)
Scott Dietz, Wheaton Sports Information Director
October 29, 2000
Norton, Mass. - The Wheaton College women's soccer team captured its first New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament championship today, as the host Lyons posted a 1-0 victory over third-seeded Wellesley College on a brisk and snowy afternoon at Elms Field.
Wheaton, earning the automatic qualifier with today's win, will represent the conference in the 2000 NCAA Tournament, which is set to begin on Wednesday, November 1. The Lyons, both conference champions as well as tournament winners, extended their winning streak to 19 games at Elms while improving their seasonal mark to 18-2. Wellesley, last year's tournament champion against Wheaton, fall to 11-4-2 overall in the defeat.
In the first half, the Lyons put immediate offensive pressure in their opponents' end, as they worked for several scoring chances. Their most opportune time came ten minutes into the contest, as sophomore forward Ali Bimba (Etna, NH/Williston-N. Hampton H.S.) managed to escape the Blue's defense in setting herself up with a breakaway streaking down the middle of the field. However, Bimba was unable to get off a shot, as she pushed a grounded ball into Wellesley goalie, Elizabeth Senecal (Wellesley, MA/Wellesley H.S.). Senecal, who posted five key saves for the Blue on the afternoon, played an integral role in keeping Wheaton off the scoreboard for the first twenty-plus minutes of the opening period.
Midway through the half, the Lyons tallied the game's lone goal, as Bimba posted her fourth score of the tournament and third game-winner in as many contests at the 25:00 minute mark. Bimba received the pass on the left side of the goal box from freshman midfielder Amber Lehmann (Lubbock, TX/Lubbock H.S.) and then struck a left-footed shot directed to the upper ninety of the far post for the 1-0 advantage.
The second half proved to be a close resemblance of the first, as both squads struggled to convert offensively. Wellesley battled Wheaton to the closing minutes and was given chances to even up the contest, but the Lyons' defense held their ground in posting the shutout.
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SCORING: |
1st |
2nd |
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Wellesley (11-4-2, 6-1-2) |
0 |
0 |
= |
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Wheaton (18-2, 8-1) |
1 |
0 |
= |
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Goals:
1st Half: WC- Ali Bimba (Amber Lehmann) 25:00
Goalie Saves: WC- Emily Boeing 1; WELL- Elizabeth Senecal 5
Shots on Goal: WC- 13; WELL- 7