Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – A huge defensive stand by Melanie Escobar and the Emerson Women's Soccer team gave the Lions the opportunity they needed Friday night as Alyssa Giannone and Elle Wierbicky put away goals to lead EC to a 2-1 win over Coast Guard. The Lions improve to 5-10-1 on the year and 2-6 in the conference while CGA drops to 8-7-1 and 3-5 in the NEWMAC.
The first half saw the Bears come out ready to play as they put up 10 shots on the Lions, but the Lions were on point as Escobar made two saves to hold off CGA. Emerson was only able to put up one shot in the half, but Alyssa Giannone made the most of it with a high arching shot from just outside the penalty box to make it 1-0.
The Bears kept pressing though and 11 minutes later in the 33rd minute struck gold as Alyssa Sato sent a corner kick to the back post that Caroline Eastman put away to knot it 1-1 headed into the break.
The Bears didn't take their foot off the gas in the second half with ten more shots to EC's four, but Escobar stepped up to throw down a shutout half with three saves. CGA played physical in the match as they were called for 13 fouls, but the Lions persevered as Elle Wierbicky put one into the back post off a corner kick for her first goal of her career and to give EC the 2-1 win.
The Lions will hit the road again this Tuesday as they travel to take on MIT in a 4 p.m. match-up in Cambridge, Mass.
