Seahawks topped by Lions on late goal, 1-0

NEWPORT, R.I. - Eastern Nazarene sophomore Jules Speno (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) scored in the 88th minute to lift the Lions to a 1-0 victory over Salve Regina during Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Reynolds Field on Wednesday evening. The win marked the Lions' first-ever victory over the Seahawks, improving the team to 8-6-2 on the year and 5-1-1 in the conference. The loss was the fourth straight for the Seahawks who slip to 7-8-1 overall and 2-4-1 during CCC play.

The Seahawks controlled the action during the first half, outshooting the Lions by a 9-2 margin while also building a 4-0 edge in corners. However, Salve Regina was able to put only two of its nine shots on net as the two teams went into the break tied at 0-0.

The Seahawks continued to apply pressure in the second half, but once again they were only able to place one of their 12 shots during the period on net.

The Lions finally broke through in the 88th minute when Speno was able to get behind the Salve Regina defense after collecting a loose ball off a free kick. As the Salve Regina goalie raced out to cut off the angle, Speno beat her down low for her ninth goal of the season.

The Seahawks continued to battle over the final two minutes, but the Lions managed to hold on as Salve Regina graduate student Caitlin Eastwood's (Seymour, Conn.) header sailed over the top of the goal with just four seconds remaining to seal the 1-0 final.

Both teams return to CCC action this Saturday, with the Lions hosting Gordon at 11 a.m. and the Seahawks traveling to face Endicott at 2:30 p.m.