PRIDE ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS WITH 5-0 SHUTOUT OVER NEWBURY

WESTON, Mass. – Six different players recorded at least a point as the Regis College women's soccer team defeated the Nighthawks of Newbury College, 5-0 in New England Collegiate Conference First Round action on a chilly Wednesday evening at Regis Stadium. The Pride improve to 10-2-3 overall on the year while the Nighthawks end their season at 3-11. The win also marks the first ever NECC playoff victory for the women's soccer team.

The Crimson & Gold came out of the gate as the early aggressor and Jasmin Vivar (Attleboro, Mass.) got her team started on the right note, scoring the first of her two goals in the 12th minute of the opening half. Vivar received a pass directly in front of the goal from Michelle Sirois (Easton, Mass.) and was able to tap the ball home for what proved to be the winning goal.

Sophomore Shannon Simonelli (Providence, R.I.) added to the Pride's lead at the 30:27 mark when she took a left footed shot at the top of the box that sailed just over Nighthawk goalkeeper Ashleigh Guy's (Chepachet, R.I.) outstretched hands. It was Simonelli's first goal of the season. Guy, who was replaced by teammate Carolina Franco (Reading, Conn.) in goal for the second half, finished with six saves.

Even with a comfortable lead in hand, the Pride did not let up the pressure in the second half. Kara Donovan (Woburn, Mass.) made it a 3-0 game when she scored her first career goal on a header off a corner kick from fellow defender Jackie Rocheville (Salem, Mass.) in the 59th minute. Kristen Abreu (Woburn, Mass.) tacked on another goal less than two minute later after a few nice cut backs to beat a Newbury defender gave her space for a shot from the right side of the box.

Vivar wrapped up the scoring for the Pride, tallying her second goal of the game in the 67th minute. Following a corner kick, the ball skipped outside of the box where Vivar was able to take a shot from about 20 yards out. Franco was able to get a piece of the shot, but it trickled into the back of the net for the 5-0 final. Franco finished the game with four saves. Regis goalkeeper Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) made two saves to preserve the shutout.

The Pride will host the winner of Elms College/Mitchell College for an NECC Semifinal match on Friday, November 2 with game time to be determined.