Nor'easters overcome elements, Seahawks in 4-0 win

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England got two goals from junior Jackie Dickerson (Windham, N.H.) on its way to a 4-0 shutout of Salve Regina University in a Commonwealth Coast Conference women's soccer match played in strong winds and rain Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 22) at the Big Blue Turf.

The Nor'easters, who earlier in the day learned they are ranked seventh in the initial NCAA Division III regional ranking of the season, improved to 11-2-1 overall and 5-1-1 in conference play. Salve Regina dropped its sixth straight start to dip to 3-11-0 (1-6-0 CCC). UNE's win was its seventh consecutive triumph over the Seahawks.

Dickerson got Big Blue into the scoring column in the 16th minute when she took a feed from first-year Becca Murphy (Durham, N.H.), took a few touches, then directed a low shot into the left side of the goal. Senior Margaret Palmer (Scarborough, Maine) was credited with a secondary assist on the play.

UNE would double its advantage less than eight minutes later. Senior Lindsey Monaco (Holyoke, Mass.) sent a corner kick in from the left side that classmate Kaitlyn Hall (Dayton, Maine) tracked down and headed in for her first marker of the season.

The Nor'easters took that 2-0 lead into the half after outshooting the Seahawks by a 12-5 margin for the frame.

UNE pushed the lead to 3-0 in the 55th minute when Murphy and Dickerson hooked up again. Murphy found Dickerson at the top of the six, and the junior poked home a shot from close range for her first multi-goal performance of the season.

Monaco concluded the scoring in the 66th minute, collecting a Salve turnover in its defensive end and sliding a shot from the left side of the box just inside the far post.

Sophomore starting goalkeeper Brielle Robinson (Monson, Mass.) played the opening 71:27 for the Nor'easters. She made four saves, including a diving stop of an attempt by Seahawk senior Lauren Bulk (Portsmouth, R.I.) in the 23rd minute.

Senior Angelina Saporito (Bristol, Conn.) finished with eight saves for Salve Regina.

UNE finished the afternoon with advantages in shots (23-6) and corner kicks (7-1).

Both teams return to action Saturday with CCC matches. The Seahawks have Gordon College heading to Newport, R.I. for a noon start. The Nor'easters will travel to Roger Williams University (12:30 p.m.) for a match pitting the first and second-place teams in the CCC. UNE currently trails the Hawks by one point in the league standings.