Wesleyan win ends Salve Regina streak

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Junior forward Laura Kurash (Voorhees, N.J.) scored two second half goals and led visiting Wesleyan University to a 3-0 win over Salve Regina University women's soccer at Gaudet Field.

The Cardinals, who improved to 3-1 overall this season, evened the all-time series at one game apiece after Salve Regina had defeated Wesleyan, 3-1, in Middletown, Conn., last season. The loss ends the Salve Regina win streak at six games.

Sophomore forward Kerry Doyle (North Haven, Conn.) scored the only goal of the first 45 minutes. Her second goal of the season came on a pass from junior defender Kaylin Berger (Farmington, Conn.).

Salve Regina (6-2) outshot the visitors in the first half (8 to 7) including a pair of post-clanging missiles from all-time leading scorer Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.). However, the Seahawks managed just one shot in the second half. Wesleyan finished with a dozen shots overall.

Kurash's first goal of the second half came on a free kick from the left side that she buried high in the right corner. Later, senior midfielder Emma Nitzberg (Summit, N.J.) led Kurash with a pass to elude defenders and Kurash finished with a shot past the Seahawk keeper Jessica Lane (Marshfield, Mass.). Lane's freshman counterpart, Jessica Tollman (Brookline, Mass.), registered her second career shutout while making two saves.

Salve Regina takes its unbeaten Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) record to Western New England University on Saturday. The Cardinals host Williams College on Saturday.