Wheaton Hands Women's Soccer 3-1 Setback

Worcester, MA --- Wheaton freshman Julia Cipriano (Middlebury, CT) potted the game winner in the 49th minute while classmate Allie Hinrichs (Swampscott, MA) added a goal and an assist as they both helped lead the Lyons to a 3-1 triumph over Worcester State in non-conference women's soccer action at Coughlin Field.

Wheaton, who received national votes in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Division III Preseason poll, improved their season mark to 1-0-1 while the Lancers even out to 1-1 on the young season.

WSU freshman Kaitlyn Coelho (Ludlow, MA) helped put the Lancers up on top 1-0 when separated herself from Wheaton's back line as senior Brianne Beckman (Lakeville, MA) set-up the play in the midfield.

But after the marker by the hosts, the Lyons turned up the heat and finished the first period with the 10-3 advantage in shots.

Wheaton eventually broke through the Lancer defense and knotted the score just before the end of the first half on the first tally of the season by senior Samantha Cronin (Wethersfield, CT), who took the feed from Hinrich from the left corner in the 41st minute.

The Lyons continued to build on what they started in the first half by potting the go-ahead and game-winning marker just 3:57 into the second frame on the first collegiate goal by Cipriano, who hit home the pass from senior Kristina Braga (Lowell, MA) on a breakaway.

Worcester State did have a chance to score the game-tying goal on a bid by freshman Alicia Macomber (Stoughton, MA) in the 59th minute, but her attempt rang the right post.

After Hinrichs scored directly off of a first-year Cat Amick (Washon, WA) corner kick to give Wheaton some insurance for the 3-1 advantage in the 72nd minute, the Lancers had one more good chance in the final moments of the contest.

Junior Gaby Gonet (Agawam, MA) was wide open from 10-yards away, but her attempt was scooped up by freshman keeper Taylor Wilson (Bellingham, MA) in the 81st minute.

Wilson, who played a solid second half, split time with classmate Ali Hinton (Lafayette, CO). They both made one save apiece for Wheaton. Sophomore Danielle Grunbaum (Marlboro, MA) turned aside three shots for Worcester State.

Wheaton finished with the 16-8 advantage in shots (6-3 on goal) and the 7-1 edge in corner kicks (6-1 in second period).

On Tuesday, the Lancers entertain 2012 NCAA Division III participant MIT at 7 PM while the Lyons will take the week off and host Salve Regina on Saturday at 12 o'clock.

Video By Jim Sarkisian '12