#18 Women's Soccer Rattles Off Sixth Win, Blanks AIC
SPRINGFIELD, MA – The 18th-ranked Merrimack women's soccer team tacked on a late goal to claim a 1-0 victory at American International Saturday. The Warriors remain unbeaten on the year with a 6-0-0 record and a 4-0 mark in the Northeast-10. The Yellow Jackets sink to 2-4-1 overall and 2-2-0 in conference contests.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes of play. American International held a 12-8 advantage in shots in the opening half to go along with a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Sami Brady (Rockland, MA) broke the scoreless tie in the 86th minute with her second score of the season. Melissa Garabedian (Salem, MA) slotted a through-ball to Brady in behind the Yellow Jackets' backline. Brady caught up to the ball and calmly tucked it into the goal to give Merrimack the one-goal margin.
The Warriors held on for their sixth-straight victory of the season as Brady's tally was all the offense needed.
American International outshot the visitors on the day by a 34-15 gap. The hosts also earned 10 corner kicks in the match while conceding just four.
Kiley Horne (Scituate, MA) recorded her third clean sheet of the year and sixth win with an 11-save performance in the cage. Amber Swantson stopped nine shots on the opposite end of the pitch.
"Another great win today for our team. Our defense kept us in the game and we were able to get a goal and hold on for the win," said head coach Gabe Mejail. "We are looking forward to playing at home for the second time this season on Tuesday."
Merrimack returns to the friendly confines of Warrior Field for just its second home contest of the year as it welcomes Saint Michael's September 20.
