Endicott Downs Springfield In Season Opener, 1-0

BEVERLY, Mass. — While the Endicott women's soccer team had to wait a few extra days to start their 2021 campaign after the season opener against Clark was postponed on Wednesday, the Gulls made sure to kick off the season in style as they downed the Pride of Springfield 1-0 on Saturday evening. 

Playing in front of a full stadium for the first time since 2019, Endicott saw freshman Riley Rischitelli (North Brookfield, Mass.) score her first collegiate goal in the 38th minute. Rischitelli took a beautiful cross right along the end line from fellow freshman Morgan Hubert (Southington, Conn.) and buried it into the top corner past the keeper to give the Gulls the 1-0 advantage, a lead they would never relinquish. Megan Smith (Glastonbury, Conn.) nearly made it a two-goal advantage in the 64th minute but her shot rocketed off the cross bar and up. 

Springfield's best chance came in the 76th minute when Kaleigh Dale (Mansfield, Conn.) fired a shot on goal that was punched clear by Endicott keeper Jacqueline Ruggiero (Hyde Park, Mass.). The Pride's Jen Walker (Webster, Mass.) seemingly headed in the equalizer off the rebound but was ruled offside, keeping the score at 1-0 in favor of the Gulls.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Ruggiero was strong in net for the Gulls, making two saves on the night to record her first collegiate win, in her second career start.
• Smith and senior Madeline Mucher (Andover, Mass.) led the Gulls in shot attempts with three and two, respectively.
• Springfield keeper Ameila Harper (Taylorsville, Utah) finished the match with three saves on four shots.
• Springfield's Walker tied with Smith for the match-high with three shots.
• Endicott is now 2-3-1 against Springfield all-time as tonight's 1-0 victory avenged the Pride's 1-0 win in 2019.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (1-0-0) will travel to UMass Boston on Saturday for a 4:00 PM start, while Springfield (0-0-1) will have a quick turnaround, traveling to UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday for a 7:00 PM start.

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(Photo Credit - Chris Lyons '23)