Box Score GORHAM, Maine – Senior Kelly Wallace (South Windsor) had three assists to tie the Eastern Connecticut State University career record in that category and help the Warriors move into a share of first place in the Little East Conference with a 4-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field.
In snapping a three-match winless streak, Eastern (7-6-2, 5-1-0 LEC) pulls even with the University of Massachusetts Boston atop the conference. The Beacons, who had edged Eastern last Saturday, 1-0, at Boston in a battle of conference unbeatens, dropped a 4-2 decision to host Western Connecticut State University Saturday for its first conference loss after five wins.
Next Saturday, Eastern visits Massachusetts Dartmouth (4-2-0 LEC) and UMass hosts winless (0-6-0) Plymouth State University.
Saturday, Eastern downed Southern Maine (2-13-0, 1-5-0 LEC) for the 13th straight time and 24th time in this 29-match series, the Huskies losing their fourth straight this season.
Wallace had a hand in the first three Warrior goals, giving her seven assists in the last five matches and a personal season-high of 11 this year. In tying the program record for assists in a match, Wallace caught Eastern career assist leaders Robiin Gaby (1986-89) and Megan Taylor (2001-04), with 30.
Wallace set up senior Chelsea Downer (Colchester) in the 15th minute for a 1-0 Warrior lead. In the 33rd minute, Wallace and junior Tamar Merheb (Bethel) combined to set up senior Daniela Marchitto (Orange) for what proved to be the game-winning goal and a 2-1 Warrior advantage. The marker was Marchitto's eighth of the season. Downer and Marchitto share the team lead with eight goals apiece.
In the second half, Wallace's corner kick in the 59th minute was right on target to Merheb who headed the ball back across goal into the top right corner for her second goal of the season.
Freshman Brianna Curcio (Southbury) netted the Warriors' final goal in 68th minute netting a set-up from sophomore Whitney Mantel (Stamford).
Southern Maine sophomore Mariah Cropley scored the lone goal for the home side knocking in a corner kick taken by freshman Brooke Lawrence for her first goal of the season.
Senior Mackenzie MacLeod (Northfield) and sophomore Rachel Skelton (East Lyme) split the goalkeeping duties for the Warriors. MacLeod did not record a save before giving way to Skelton midway through the first half in a 1-1 tie. Skelton had one save and received credit for her first collegiate win in her seventh appearance. Senior Katie Cobb made five stops for the Huskies.
Eastern Connecticut had a 19-3 advantage in shots and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks during the match.
Eastern hosts Manhattanville College in a non-conference match Wednesday at 6 p.m. on Seniors' Night before closing out the regular season Saturday at UMass Dartmouth.
