Salve Regina improves to 3-0 with 3-0 victory

WORCESTER, Mass. - Salve Regina junior Marissa Gagnon (Smithfield, R.I.) potted two second-half markers as she helped lift the Seahawks to a 3-0 victory over Worcester State in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon. 

With the win the Salve Regina remains unbeaten at 3-0 while the Lancers slip to 1-2 on the young season with the setback.  

As both teams combined to log just six shots on the ledger in the opening frame, with one attempt on goal each, the Seahawks came out of the intermission going up 2-0 early in the second stanza.  

Junior Alexisse Clinger (Nantucket, Mass.) hit Gagnon from the left side of the net just 1:11 into the final period before Gagnon scored an unassisted tally with 49:50 off the clock off a rebounded save.  

With the two goal deficit on the board, WSU junior Taylor Ledwith (Springfield, Mass./Cathedral) had a great chance slice into the deficit, but her attempt was stopped short by senior Alexandria Rizzo (Hopedale, Mass.) and the ricochet back to Ledwith was turned aside by senior keeper Murphy McCann (Westerly, R.I.).  

McCann also made another brilliant save moments later off a great attempt at the top of the circle by junior Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, Mass./St. Peter-Marian).  

The Seahawks used the momentum to score the third goal of the contest midway through the half on the first collegiate goal by freshman Lindsey Venuto (Foxboro, Mass.) with some help by classmate Brooke Tolley (Brookside, N.J.).  

The Lancers had a trio of corners and the 6-1 edge in shots over the final 15 minutes of the period, however, they failed to get onto the scoreboard with some solid defense by the Salve Regina back line and stellar play by McCann.  

McCann ended the contest stopping all six attempts she saw on net while freshman Kathryn Salemme (Boxboro, Mass.) registered three saves in the setback.

Both squads were even in shots (13-13) as Worcester State led in bids on net (7-6) and corners (5-3).

The two squads continue their non-conference slates over the next week in 7 p.m. contests. Worcester State hosts Anna Maria on Thursday and Salve Regina makes the trek to take on Bridgewater State on Tuesday.