Corsairs blank Seahawks, 1-0

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth junior Talia D'Ambruoso (Warwick, R.I.) converted a free kick from 35-yards out to lift the Corsairs to a 1-0 victory over visiting Salve Regina University Thursday at Cressy Field. The win marked the first victory in Kate Thomas' tenure in her debut as the Corsairs' new head women's soccer coach.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the Seahawks (0-2) were whistled for an infraction deep in their own territory. D'Ambruoso placed the free kick inside the top left corner and well beyond the reach of the visitors' keeper to net the decisive strike in the 49th minute.

UMass Dartmouth defensive attack held Salve Regina without a shot on net for the first 86 minutes of regulation. However, a Seahawk free kick softened the Corsair backline. With less than 90 seconds left on the clock, junior Erica Manchester (Wakefield, R.I.) served in a corner kick from the right flag. Sophomore Francesca Galeazzi (Lynn, Mass.) struck the ball off the right post and the rebound bounced to her teammate. Fortunately, junior Kayli Berche (Fairhaven, Mass.) was able to clear the potential equalizer off the end line and clear the defensive zone.

The Corsairs nearly cracked the scoring column in the 22nd minute, when sophomore Abby Silva (Fall River, Mass.) drilled a left-footed shot off the left post. Senior Megan Cole (Mansfield, Mass.) created the scoring opportunity with a thru-pass from the right flank.

Sophomore Madison Boucher (Southampton, Mass.) earned the shutout victory, making a pair of stops. Her counterpart, freshman Carly Pala (Milford, Conn.) recorded five stops in the loss.