Walsh's Seahawks earn first victory of season

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's soccer played its first home game of the season Saturday and defeated visiting Rivier College, 3-2, on Reynolds Field. The win marked the first in the career of first-year head coach Jane Walsh, featured in Newport Daily News article here.

The Raiders (0-1) took the early lead when senior Hayley Barnard (Bedford, N.H.) netted her first goal as a Raider inside the 16 minute mark. Barnard was the beneficiary from the team's only corner kick of the game as she took a pass from senior Paxton LaRocque and volleyed it into the corner of the net.

However Salve Regina fired back and scored three consecutive goals for what seemed like a commanding two goal lead.

Freshman Abby McMackin (Walpole, Mass.) scored her second goal of the season (and second on the year for the Seahawks) to tie the game in the 23rd minute. The score remained 1-1 over 16 minutes into the second half until senior captain Anna Shultz (Higganum, Conn.) put the Seahawks on top. McMackin added her third goal of the season for insurance and it became necessary in the closing minutes.

The Raiders weren't done as they were able to make it interesting in the 79th minute. Sophomore Nicole Godschall (Hudson, N.H.) laced a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced right to junior Maggie Cohoon (Derry, N.H.) who then buried it past the diving keeper to cut the deficit to one. Rivier would continue to put on the pressure for the reaming 10 minutes but couldn't get the equalizer.

Sophomore Lauren Goodspeed (Merrimack, N.H.) had an outstanding day as she made 25 saves in the loss. Freshman Carly Pala (Milford, Conn.) made seven saves in recording her first collegiate victory as goalkeeper.

Salve Regina (1-2) travels to Rhode Island College on Tuesday for a 3:30 contest with the Anchorwomen.