BOSTON – Emmanuel women's soccer scored four times in the opening 23 minutes of the first half, providing plenty of offense in the Saints 7-0 victory over the Elms Blazers on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play from Clemente Field.
The Saints improve to 2-1-1 this season, winning their GNAC opener for the third time in the last four seasons. The Blazers fall to 4-2, including 1-1 in the GNAC, after winning their conference opener over Norwich last Saturday.
The first three Saints tallies of the afternoon came directly from corner kicks, led off by senior Sarah Dullaghan netting her second of the season in the fifth minute. A loose ball in the penalty area was directed into the top right corner by Dullaghan, giving the Saints a 1-0 lead.
In the 14th minute, sophomore Aleena Solano crossed in a corner that found the head of junior Ciara Horan, doubling the Emmanuel lead. Just two minutes later, in the 16th, the lead grew to 3-0, after another corner by Solano was fired home by junior Libby Tennant. Solano's work crossing in assists would finally net her a goal in the 23rd minute, boosting the lead to 4-0.
The Saints closed out the game by scoring three more times in the final seven minutes, starting with the first of the season by senior Maya Daryanani. Yet another cross from Solano found the head of Daryanani, whose effort on frame curled into the top right corner, giving the Saints a 5-0 lead.
A Blazers own goal provided the Saints their sixth tally before Solano finished off the scoring in the 89th minute, as a pass in behind the backline by Dullaghan, matched with a perfectly timed run by Solano, gave the sophomore forward a break on goal. Beating the onrushing goalie to the pass, Solano slid a shot past the keeper for the last of the Saints seven goals.
Solano's afternoon of two goals and three assists for seven points makes her one of 13 players for Emmanuel, dating back to 1997, to record seven points in a game. She's also now just one of nine players with a three-assist game, dating back to 1997.
Dullaghan, Horan, and Tennant all finished with one goal and one assist on the afternoon while sophomore goalie Teigan Robie earned the win, improving to 2-1-1 on the year.
The Saints return to play on Wednesday, Sept. 17, with the University of Hartford visiting Clemente Field for a 7:00 p.m. match. In the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, the Hartford Hawks were receiving national top-25 votes. The Blazers travel to Dean College on Saturday, Sept. 20, for a 3:30 p.m. match in GNAC play.
