Seahawk playoff hopes alive despite road loss

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Western New England University women's soccer team celebrated its senior day with a 2-1 win over Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opponent Salve Regina University at Suprenant Field on Tuesday. The Golden Bears snapped a season-high three-game losing skid to improve to 9-6-2 overall, including 3-3-1 in the CCC. The visiting Seahawks dropped to 3-12-1 on the season and 1-6 in the conference.

Western New England took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on Sarah Marois' first goal of the season. Becca Mercieri gained control about 25 yards away from the SRU goal after a failed Seahawk clear, then sent a through-ball for Marois who beat keeper Carly Montgomery coming off her goal line. It was Mercieri's first career assist.

The Golden Bears added an insurance goal in the 33rd minute that proved valuable as the contest progressed. Karoline Sperber sent a pass over the top of the SRU defense to Brionna Voight in stride, who planted her team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Salve Regina spoiled WNE's eighth shutout bid with one minute and 33 seconds left in the game when Lauren Bulk scored her seventh goal on assists by Anna Shultz and Erin McCullough.

Briana Kubik made seven saves in the WNE goal while her counterpart Carly Montgomery posted four stops.

Western New England surpassed last season's win total of eight despite getting outshot 15 to 12, but the Golden Bears doubled up the Seahawks in corner kicks, 4-2. Marois and Voight finished with four shots apiece.

Salve Regina returns home Saturday for its senior day (Stephanie DeLue, Erin McCullough, Jacqueline McPherson, and Alyssa Roshong), hosting Wentworth Institute of Technology at noon. Western New England returns to action at Suprenant Field next Wednesday against Roger Williams at 3 p.m. in the regular-season finale.