NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's soccer team kept hold of the Whale Cup trophy, defeating neighboring Coast Guard Academy 4-1 on Wednesday afternoon from Freeman Field. With the win, Conn improves to 2-1 on the year, while Coast Guard falls to 0-4.
Conn started the game quickly, jumping out to a 1-0 lead just 11:47 into the contest. Ella Gazo (Colchester, Vt.) played a through ball into the path of Lexi Gudaitis (Topsfield, Mass.), who rifled the ball past the Coast Guard goalkeeper to put the Camels up 1-0.
Gazo continued her strong play making just 10 minutes later, this time completing a give-and-go through the Bears defense with Ella Davidyock (Newtown, Pa.). Davidyock corralled the ball and fired it into the back of the net at 21:13 to make it 2-0.
Just over a minute later, the long ball once again connected for the Camels, as this time Katelyn Hardwick (Milton, Ga.) found a streaking Clare Mulvihill (West Caldwell, N.J.). Mulvihill got past the last defender with a nifty move, before hitting the back of the net just inside the right post to push the lead to 3-0.
Late in the half, Coast Guard caught a break as the Bears were awarded a corner kick in the 42nd minute. On the ensuing corner, Arwen Wise's cross found Ella Pottle who's effort deflected in, as Coast Guard cut the deficit to 3-1 heading to the break.
Both teams had chances to add to their totals in the second half, but it was the Camels who netted the only marker. Maya Griffin (Madison, Wis.) played a lovely pass into the path of Blessing Kieh (Monrovia, Liberia) who stepped around the keeper and played the ball into the open net for her first career goal at 75:13. Neither side connected in the final 15 minutes as Conn came away with the 4-1 victory.
Conn outshot the visitors 20-5 overall and 12-2 on target, while holding a 6-4 edge on corner kicks.
Ella Kahrl (Wellesley, Mass.) got the start in goal, finishing with one save. Four Camels recorded one goal, as Davidyock, Gudaitis, Kieh, and Mulvihill all found the back of the net. Gazo notched two assists, while Griffin and Hardwick both added one.
Emily Scharnitzky recorded four saves in goal for the Bears, while Pottle tallied the lone goal and Wise added an assist.
Conn returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 14 for a NESCAC matchup against Bowdoin at 11 a.m. from Freeman Field.
