#23 Women's Soccer Makes Debut in NSCAA Poll, Tops Saint Michael's 1-0
COLCHESTER, Vt.- The Merrimack women's soccer
team began the day receiving a No. 23 ranking in the NSCAA National
Poll. The Warriors capped off the day with a 1-0 road win at Saint
Michael's. Merrimack picked up its fifth consecutive win, improving
to 5-1-1 overall and 5-0-0 in the Northeast-10. The Warriors are
unbeaten in their last six games, earning five wins and a draw. The
Purple Knights fell to 1-4-2 on the year and 0-3-2 against
conference foes.
Eight minutes into the second half, Jenn Pino (North
Andover, Mass.) netted the Warriors' lone goal. Pino
headed in a cross from Jessie DeGraan
(Braintree, Mass.) to give Merrimack a 1-0 lead that it
would not relinquish.
Junior goalkeeper Kiley Horne
(Scituate, Mass.) turned aside three shots en route to
earning her first shutout of the 2010 campaign.
Merrimack held a slight edge in shots, firing just two more
shots than Saint Michaels, 12-10. Each team earned seven corner
kicks in the match.
"The weather caused some issues for us with the wind blowing
hard throughout the game. We were able compensate by
keeping the ball on the ground so that the wind would not
effect our play," said head coach Gabe Mejail. "Our team really
played hard and kept their composure for the full 90 minutes and we
were able to hold on for the win."
The Warriors make their first appearance in the NSCAA National
Poll since the 2008 season. In the week leading up to Merrimack
receiving a No. 23 ranking, the Warriors recorded a pair of 2-1
wins. Merrimack downed Saint Anselm in overtime September 15 and
No. 17 American International September 18.
Merrimack was also ranked third in the East Region in the
NSCAA/HendrickCars.com Regional Poll released September 21.
The Warriors now sit atop the Northeast-10 standings with a
5-0-0 record against conference opponents.
Merrimack returns to action as it hosts Bentley at Warrior
Field, September 25.
