Pride Women’s Soccer Loses GNAC Road Match to Wildcats

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Johnson & Wales led a flurry of offense in the second half, defeating Regis College 6-1 Wednesday night in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference women's soccer match at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

The Wildcats struck first four minutes into the second half as Deja Hursey was waiting in front of the net when a Jordan Restivo shot hit the post, and Hursey found the back of the net with the rebound. Two minutes later, Hursey raced up the field, evaded the Regis defense, and slid the ball around Pride goalie Oriana Attridge (Westwood, Mass.) for her third goal of the season.

Just over one minute later, Regis struck back, as Rachel Kelly (Whitman, Mass.) launched a shot from 30 yards out into the top left corner of the net for her third tally of the season, cutting the Pride's deficit in half. However, Johnson & Wales regained possession and momentum, scoring three minutes later on a goal by Restivo off a pass from Olivia Cairrao.

The Pride threatened to add another goal to their total, but Wildcat goalie Colleen Lynch was able to stop shots by Erin Filetti (Newburyport, Mass.) and Brianna Gaynor (Peabody, Mass.). Johnson & Wales put the match away when Cairrao scored twice in the span of just over seven minutes, and then the final tally came when Mackenzie Willis set up Erin Quinty for her second goal of the season with three minutes remaining in the second half.

Johnson & Wales (4-5, 3-1 GNAC) controlled the possession for the vast majority of the match, starting right at the beginning with four shots within the first five minutes. In the end, the Wildcats outshot the Pride, 27-7, and created nine corner kick opportunities while holding Regis to just one corner kick chance.

Attridge was busy throughout the night, making a season-high 11 saves in the match. Lynch made four saves as she earned the victory for the Wildcats, playing the first 76:26 before being replaced by Liz Kenney.  

Regis (4-3, 2-2 GNAC) faces conference newcomer Colby-Sawyer Saturday, Sept. 22, starting at 3:30 p.m. in New London, N.H. The Pride next play at home Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. against Emmanuel at Regis Stadium.