Late Goal Lifts Pride to Victory on Professor Appreciation Night

WESTON, Mass. – On their professor appreciation night, a late goal lifted the Regis College women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) Blue Jays tonight at Regis Stadium. The win improves the Pride's record to 6-7-2 overall and 4-4-1 in GNAC play.

Sienna Santiago (Brewster, N.Y.) continued to pace the Pride offense with a goal and an assist, while Alexis Sherry (Salem, Mass.) delivered the game-winner in the closing minutes. Julia Benvegnu (Watertown, Conn.) added an assist, and goalkeeper Daniela Mazo (Bridgeport, Conn.) made eight saves to secure the win.

For the Blue Jays, Elizabeth Garlock tallied their lone goal off a feed from Alana Picard, while goalkeeper Madison Corcoran recorded eight saves in the effort.

How it Happened

Santiago stayed hot, opening the scoring just four minutes into the match. After receiving a pass from Benvegnu, she slotted a shot to the lower left corner, with a little help from the crossbar to put it in. The Blue Jays looked to equalize with ten minutes left in the half when Alana Picard connected on a header from a free kick outside the box, but Mazo was there to make the routine save. USJ had one final look in the closing seconds, but the shot sailed just high, allowing the Pride to take their slim lead into halftime.

The Blue Jays nearly found the equalizer in the 50th minute, but Mazo came up with another key save before the post provided an assist on the rebound to keep the Pride in front. Twenty minutes later, Mazo made another diving stop, and Regis dodged a bullet when the Blue Jays' follow-up on the open net went just wide. However, in the 77th minute the Blue Jays broke through when Picard delviered a ball into the box that Garlock cleaned up to deadlock the game at one-goal apiece.

With just under five minutes to play, Santiago fired a shot on target that was turned away by the keeper, but Sherry was there to clean up the rebound and bury the go-ahead goal - and ultimately the game-winner - as the Pride held on for a 2-1 victory in Weston.

Inside the Numbers

• Santiago has recorded three or more points in her last three outings. 
• Alexis Sherry recorded her first goal of the season — and the first game-winning tally of her collegiate career.
• With her fourth win of the season tonight, senior goalkeeper, Daniela Mazo notched a new career-high in victories. 
• Prior to the game, in their annual M.V.P. (Most Valuable Professor) night, the Regis women's soccer program recognized faculty members who have made a meaningful impact on the student-athletes' college experience. Several players personally invited professors who have supported them throughout their academic journeys, including Dr. Shannon Hogan, Dr. James Windelborn, Dr. Leslie Bishop, Dr. Sheila Combs, Dr. Devin Cashman, and team mentor, Dr. Jennifer Krusinger.

Up Next

The Pride are back on the road this Saturday October 18 when they travel to Colby-Sawyer College to take on the Chargers for a 1 p.m. GNAC matchup.