SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – (October 20, 2012) - Nina Vital found the back of the net three times to power the Springfield College women's soccer team to a 4-2 win against Mount Holyoke in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday.
The victory improves Springfield's record to 10-4-1, 7-1 in league play as the Pride now control its own destiny moving forward. A win at Wellesley next Saturday would assure the Pride at least a share of the conference's regular season crown for the third-straight season. The Lyons drop to 2-11-2, 1-7.
Springfield owned a 22-2 advantage in shots for the contest and owned a 9-2 cushion in corner kicks. Erin Greenstein did not make a save in the victory, while Mackenzie Randall was credited with six saves for the visitors.
Vital struck first at the 19:36 mark of the first half. Ashley Carresi got the play started with a pass to Nicole Fowler at the top of the box. Fowler tapped a pass to Vital, who converted from five yards out.
Just 3:33 later, Vital took a long pass from Mary Hogan and blasted the bouncing ball from 12 yards out into the back of the net.
Vicky DiNatale scored Springfield's third goal of the first half in the 34th minutes, cleaning up a scrum in front of the net following a corner kick.
The visitors scored on their first shot of the game 5:14 into the second half. Ali Rossi delivered a cross from the left side that Hannah Yee fired past Greenstein from the top of the box.
Vital answered with her third marker of the afternoon in the 67th minute. This time, the junior slotted home a penalty kick after Fowler was dragged down in the box on a breakaway.
The Lyons made the most of their second shot on the afternoon, scoring with 5:07 left in regulation. Yee once again factored in on the scoring, sending a great lead pass to Ashleigh Hartsock, who converted her breakaway bid into the lower right corner.
The Pride will next prep for its non-conference finale versus Roger Williams on Tuesday. Game time is 7:00 pm. The Lyons will play at MCLA on Wednesday at 3:30pm.
