Women's Soccer Drops 1-0 Decision to Wheaton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Senior midfielder Julia Cipriano (Middlebury, Conn.) tallied the game's only goal to lead the Wheaton College women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over host Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The visiting Lyons improve to 2-0 on the young season, while the Bears slip to 0-2.

Sophomore goaltender Lauren DeSousa (Taunton, Mass.) was outstanding between the pipes in the setback for the Bears. DeSousa made eight saves on the afternoon including a number of great stops.

DeSousa made a diving save on a shot labeled for inside the far post off a corner kick in the opening minutes of the second half. She also made a brilliant stop off a header attempt with 21 minutes remaining to keep the game scoreless.

The Lyons finally broke through in the 79th minute. Freshman defender Kaylee Sye (Acton, Mass.) set up the attack with a long volley to the right side. Junior midfielder Carina Thomas (Mililani, HI) tracked down the ball and sent a pass in front of the net onto the foot of Cipriano who slipped a shot inside the right post.

Cipriano nearly put the Lyons on the board early in the first half but DeSousa made a leaping stop on a shot labeled for just under the crossbar.

Wheaton held a 21-7 shot advantage for the game as well as a 4-1 edge in corner kicks. Cipriano led all players with seven shot attempts including three on frame.

Freshman netminder Leann Wolf (Santa Maria, Calif.) notched three saves to record her second win of the season and first shutout.

Bridgewater State's best scoring opportunity in the second half came off the foot of senior midfielder Brooke Pacheco (Bristol, R.I.) in the 57th minute. Pacheco ripped a shot just over the cross bar from 20 yards out.

The Bears return to action on Tuesday evening when they travel to Brandeis University for a seven o'clock game with the Judges. The Lyons entertain Eastern Nazarene College on Wednesday afternoon at four.