Outgoing players recognized after the match were (from left) graduate student Katelyn Herbert and seniors Kylie Gentile, Lilly Simpson and Keira Rogers (Photo by Grace Majowicz '26)
Box Score MANSFIELD, Conn. — Led by a brace from
Michaela Gasparri (
Prospect), Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer surged past Plymouth State University, claiming a 4-1 Little East Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Rick McCarthy Field.
Rookie Gasparri notched her sixth and seventh goals of the season in back-to-back scoring efforts, while graduate student Katelyn Herbert (Bethpage, NY) added her sixth goal, and junior Glenda Zhiminaicela (Clinton) also found the net to round out the Warriors' scoring. Sophomore keeper Alex Ignatowicz (Coventry) totaled three saves, allowing just one goal over the first 67 minutes while junior Kaeden Dublin (Maple Grove, MN) closed it out over the final 23 scoreless minutes.
Game Information:
- Score: Eastern Connecticut State University, Plymouth State University
- Records: Eastern (6-2-2) (LEC 2-0-1) Plymouth State (4-7-0) (LEC 0-4-0)
- Location: Mansfield, Conn. (Rick McCarthy Field)
Key Moments:
- In the 11th minute of the match, off a Warriors throw-in from Brooke Bolles (Preston), Michaela Gasparri received the pass before moving through the Panthers' defense, placing a perfect low right-cornered shot past the Plymouth keeper for Eastern's first goal of the afternoon.
- In the 50th minute, Eastern kicked off the second half with a quick throw-in conversion to a goal-scoring play when senior Kylie Gentile (Berlin) played the ball into Gasparri, who cleared the defense cache for Zhiminaicela to strike into the Panthers' net, putting the Warriors up 2-0.
- The Warriors scored their third goal of the evening on another throw-in, as Eastern received the ball in the far corner and delivered a perfect cross into the box that graced the path of Zhiminaicela, who found an open lane to Gasparri. Gasparri finished the play, collecting her second goal of the day for the Warriors' third score of the game.
- Eastern tallied insurance with a quick scoring run, notching its last goal of the game in the 62nd minute. Herbert tallied her sixth goal of the season after receiving a perfect pass from Zhiminaicela down the center field and driving a long strike into the box, sending the ball flying past the vistors' keeper.
- At the 65th minute mark, Plymouth State cut into the deficit as Piper Sullivan capitalized on a penalty kick, slotting the ball past the Warriors' keeper
Scoring Summary:
Game Notes:
- Eastern defeated Plymouth State at the whistle, securing a 4-1 conference victory.
- Both teams recorded shots, with Eastern taking 17 (11 on goal) and Plymouth finishing with 7 (4 on goal).
- Corner kicks favored Eastern, 10-6.
- Goalkeeper saves totaled three for Eastern and seven for Plymouth.
- Gasparri opened the scoring at 10:47 for her seventh goal of the season, followed by Zhiminaicela at 49:42 and Gasparri again at 52:19. Herbert added her sixth goal at 62:43, while Plymouth State's Piper Sullivan converted a penalty kick at 64:56 given due to an Eastern hand ball in the box.
- The assists were the first of the season for Zhiminaicela
- Eastern committed 17 fouls, while Plymouth committed five throughout the match.
- Cautions were issued to Eastern twice and to Plymouth tallied one.
- Gasparri ranks in a tie for second in the LEC with seven goals while Herbert shares fourth place with six. Gasparri is tied for second in the LEC with 16 points.
- Eastern is 3-0-2 vs. Plymouth in the last five matches. Plymouth's goal in the second half was its first against Eastern after being shut out the last four seasons (two of the matches ending in 0-0 ties)
- Eastern remains unbeaten (3-0-1) at home, where it has allowed only two goals
- On senior day, Herbert played 62 minutes, Lilly Simpson (Norwalk) 32, Keira Rogers (Portsmouth, RI) 54 and Gentile 66.
Up Next:
Eastern visits Trinity College for a non-conference match-up Wednesday at 6:00 PM EST.
