Women's Soccer Downs UNE In Season Opener, 2-0

Westfield, Mass. - September 3, 2022 - The Springfield College women's soccer team collected a 2-0 victory over University of New England on Saturday afternoon in the Westfield State Invitational at Westfield State. 

The victory marked the first-career win for new Springfield College women's soccer head coach Kristin Cannon. The Pride applied pressure offensively by attempting 33 shots in the contest with 18 staying on target.

Springfield set the tone in the first half with the early aggressive play the Pride delivered two shots on goal with in the first two minutes. At 4:30, Kaleigh Dale (Mansfield, Conn.) got free for a shot attempt, however, connected with the post and the game remained scoreless. Springfield attempted 11 shots in the first 15 minutes of the period, but could not capitalize. At 14:20, Taryn Ryan (Holyoke, Mass.) made her second save of the half as the score still stayed locked at 0-0. Springfield eventually took the first lead of the game as Dale facilitated a pass to Kaitlyn Suller (Oviedo, Fla.) for the score and Suller's first-career goal in a Springfield uniform. Shortly after the Suller strike, fellow first-year Kristina Kyle (Watertown, Conn.) converted on a solo attempt to give the Pride 2-0 advantage over UNE. The No'reasters had a pair of chances to cut into the deficit, however Ryan pulled in two more saves to add to her first half total of four. 

Springfield continued its hunt for goals in the second half as the Pride rattled off 16 shots, while also limiting UNE to no shots on goal paving the way for a Springfield victory to open the 2022 season.  

The Pride will play host Westfield State tomorrow at 3:00. 

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