SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's soccer team was put on the spot, and took full advantage of it, winning 3-1 over Northeast 10 Conference rival Southern New Hampshire University on the strength of a pair of second-half penalty kick goals on Saturday, October 10.
AIC is now 7-5-0 overall and 3-2-0 in the NE10, having won three straight league games.
It was the Penmen who struck first, as Lauren Fox knocked home a pass from Madison Taylor at 11:33 in an opening stretch that saw the Penmen outshoot AIC 4-0.
However, late in the half, AIC was able to begin tilting the field the other way, and an offensive burst allowed AIC to level the score.
Nicole Kelly wound up a shot from the left side of the box that ricocheted off the crossbar right to
Yishmel Dechi, who drilled home her second of the season from the six-yard line at 35:56.
Level at the break, AIC continued to push, and eventually the pressure paid off. A foul in the box sent AIC to the spot, and team captain
Elena Nunez was up to the task, potting her third on the year at 63:12.
Five minutes later, another foul led to another penalty, as
Flavia Taveri was hauled down from behind on a breakaway. She blasted the resulting penalty home at 68:40, pushing AIC's lead to 3-1.
The defense took it from there, not allowing a shot on goal in the second half;
Hedda Haukland earned the win playing the final 45:00 despite not facing a shot, while
Sara Avery, who played the opening stanza, made three saves in her portion of the game.
AIC will break from NE10 play to face Queens College in a road tilt on Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 p.m.
