PRIDE AND BLAZERS PLAY TO 1-1 STALEMATE

WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College women's soccer team opened up New England Collegiate Conference play with Elms College, battling the Blazers to a 1-1 draw on Saturday morning at Regis Stadium. With the tie, the Pride move to 3-1-2 (0-0-1 NECC), while Elms' record moves to 1-5-1 (0-0-1 NECC) on the season.

In a dominating first half, which saw the Pride outshoot Elms 13-7, Regis found the back of the net in the 16th minute of play. After an initial free kick attempt by Michelle Sirois (Easton, Mass.) was saved by Blazers goalkeeper Alexa Rinaudo (Bellmore, N.Y.), sophomore Jasmin Vivar collected the rebound in the box and calmly passed it in the goal for the 1-0 lead. Sirois was credited with the assist on the play.

Regis had several good looks in the offensive third, but was unable to capitalize on any other attempts in the half. Central defenders Kara Donovan (Woburn, Mass.) and Jackie Rocheville (Salem, Mass.) played stingy defense for the Pride and limited scoring chances for the Blazers.

Elms finally knotted things up in the 63rd minute of play when Carmen Marino (Granby, Conn.) found herself alone at the top of the box. The sophomore took a shot that sailed just over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) for the tying goal.

Elms looked like it would get the game-winner with less than five minutes to play, but Gagnon made a diving stop on Melissa Welch's (Westfield, Mass.) shot attempt to keep things deadlocked. Neither squad was able to get on the board despite twenty extra minutes of overtime play. Elms outshot the Pride 4-2 in extra time.

Gagnon finished the game with nine saves, while Rinaudo collected eight saves on the day. Hayley Zisk (Baldwinville, Mass.), who appeared in net for overtime play for the Blazers, made one save.

Regis will be back in action next Saturday, Sept. 29, when the team travels to Bay Path for a 2:00 p.m. conference game.