RINDGE, N.H. Senior Romina Bell (Stockerau, Austria) potted the game-winning score in the 82nd minute off a penalty kick to lead American International College past Franklin Pierce, 1-0, in Northeast-10 Conference women's soccer action this evening from Sodexo Field.
With the victory the Jackets move their unbeaten streak to eight and improve to 10-4-1 on the year and 8-2-1 in the NE-10 while the Ravens fall to 6-7-0 overall and 4-7-0 in conference play.
AIC nearly opened the scoring as sophomore Linnea Herbertsson (Boras, Sewden) found junior Jessica Margaretta (Coloniers, France) in the box and she chipped the ball toward senior Alyssa Werbicki (Chicopee, Mass.) on the left side, but her point blank attempt was met by Raven sophomore Keeper Casey Cook (Beverly, Mass.) in the 20th minute and the game remained scoreless headed into the break.
Freshman Johanna Nilsson (Ulricehamn, Sweden) nearly got the Jackets on the board early in the second half as she received a good pass on the left side of the box from sophomore Kelly Koslosky (Naugatuck, Conn.), however, the rookies attempt to pick the short side hit the side of the net in the 49th minute.
As time was winding down in regulation near the ten minute mark, the Ravens had the best chance to score so far, but they were whistled for offside on a very close play.
Just a few minutes later the Jackets flipped the field as freshman Federica Frew (Melbourne, Australia) chipped the ball over the top to find classmate Taylor Kue (Providence, R.I.), Cook raced out of the net to try and cut her off and was whistled for a foul in the box after two collided, thus awarding AIC with a penalty kick in the 83rd minute.
Bell would take the kick and it was uncontested into the left side of the net as Cook guessed right and the visitors took the 1-0 edge as the senior improved to 3-for-3 on PK's this season.
Graduate student Rachel Edgin (Whitesboro, N.Y.) continued her stellar play between the pipes for the Yellow Jackets and improves to 10-4-1 on the year while securing her eighth shutout of the season to top the conference after making five saves. Cook falls to 4-3 after stopping three shots in the setback.
American International outshot the hosts 15-11 while both teams had five shots on target and AIC also held the 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
AIC will return home next for a 3:30 p.m. contest against Adelphi on the grass at Mass-Mutual Soccer Field to kick-off Homecoming Weekend on Friday afternoon.
