Galla, Lee propel Seahawks past Lions, 4-3

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Sophomores Liz Galla (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and Jackie Lee (North Reading, Mass.) each scored two goals to lift the Salve Regina University women's soccer team to a 4-3 win over Eastern Nazarene College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) action Saturday afternoon at Gaudet Field.

The win moves the Seahawks to 11-6 (8-4 TCCC) and ties the school record for single-season wins (11), set in 2004. The loss stretches the Lions (5-14, 3-9 TCCC) losing skid to eight matches. Prior to the contest, Salve Regina honored seniors Katie Vaudrain (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Jen Duval (Dudley, Mass.) for the effort and commitment put forth during their time in the blue, white and green.

Trailing 3-2 entering the second half, Galla's second of the game and 13th of the season at 67:29 tied the game at three. She beat a pair of defenders and then fired a shot past freshman goalkeeper Britney Hilsop (Burley, Wash.). Less than three minutes later, Lee's second of the game at 70:17 off a pass from Galla gave the Seahawks the lead for good.

"This was a nice come-from-behind win for our squad," said Seahawk head coach Kerri Scroope. "To come from where we were last season (4-15) to tying the school-record for wins is truly a credit to the hard work and effort from our kids."

Senior Brenna Mereness (Castleton, N.Y.) gave the Lions an early 1-0 lead at 17:43 when she was awarded and converted a penalty kick following a handball by a Seahawk in the box. Lee's first of the game and first of the season off a cross from sophomore Jordan Sileo (Bristol, Conn.) at 18:15 tied the game at one.

The Lions regained the lead at 2-1 when sophomore Kara Webber (Marshfield, Mass.) sent a corner kick into the box that was knocked home by classmate Jillian Thorton (Schenectady, N.Y.) at 30:08. Salve Regina answered back to tie the game at two at 39:22 on Galla's 12th goal of the season. Freshman Katilyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) send a pass to Galla in front of the net, and she deposited the ball past Hilsop. The Lions closed the half with a goal by sophomore Jackie Greenwood (Halifax, Mass.) at 41:02 off a pass from Mereness.

The Seahawks outshot the Lions 17-10 on the afternoon. Vaudrain made three saves to earn her 11th win of the season for the Seahawks while Hilsop recorded eight saves in defeat.

The Seahawks close the 2009 regular season with as 2:30 p.m. contest at Gordon on Tuesday. The Lions host Regis College Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.