Box Score MANSFIELD, Conn. -- Sophomore forward Haley Montesanto (East Haven) scored her first career goal in the 19th minute and the Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team managed to capitalize on enough of their numerous scoring chances to hold off Rhode Island College, 2-1, in a Little East Conference match Wednesday at Rick McCarthy Field.
Eastern (3-6-0, 2-1-0 LEC) defeated Rhode Island College (2-8-0, 0-3-0 LEC) for the 11th time in 12 matches at home in the all-time series, posting its sixth straight victory over the Anchorwomen and winning its first home match this year after two losses. Rhode Island dropped its seventh straight decision this year.
The Warriors had countless scoring opportunities (12-4 advantage in shots) in both halves but RIC senior keeper Erica Edwards was up for the challenge, making seven saves and coming off her line to break up several other Eastern bids before they could materialize.
Montesanto's first career goal off assists from sophomore midfielder Sierra DeCarli (Tolland) and senior forward Stephanie Sanchez (Manchester) gave Eastern an early lead and after several near-misses, finally tacked on an insurance goal two minutes into the second half when Sanchez beat Edwards after carrying on the left side and once near the goal, sliding a low shot inside the far post. It was her team-leading third goal of the year. The goal was set up by freshman defender Emily Belval's (Southbury) long free kick inside the 18-yard box. The kick sailed just over midfield toward Sanchez on the left sideline. Sanchez knocked the ball down after the first bounce, shielded it, and lit out down the left sideline. Sanchez gained a stride on RIC junior defender Vanessa Costa and headed toward the goal, where she slid the ball with her right foot past Edwards -- who came out to cut down the angle -- and inside the right post. It was the first point of Belval's career.
Rhode Island cut the Eastern lead in half midway through the second half when junior forward Soleil Galagarza knocked in a header from the right post on a perfect cross from sophomore midfielder Alyson Morris.
Looking to re-establish breathing room, Eastern had at least two chances to re-gain the two-goal lead. The first came a minute after Galagarza's goal but Edwards came up big on one when she dove to her left to deny Sanchez's shot from the left post. With 11 minutes left, Eastern sophomore forward Destiny Perez (Vernon) found room and settled the ball directly in front of the keeper on a cross from the left side, but Galagarza recovered in time to cover up.
Eastern senior Erin Collins (Millis, MA) made three saves for her third win of the year.
Eastern visits the University of Southern Maine in a conference match Saturday at 1 p.m.
