Sam Leventhal
Staff Writer
@Sam_Leventhal
On a very windy Saturday at Brock-Affleck Field, Springfield knocked off Emerson College 3-1. Head coach John Gibson picked up his 200th career victory under the helm of the program on Herb Zettl Day.
With the win, the Pride improve to 9-3-2 overall and 5-1-1 in conference play.
Entering into this contest, Springfield knew that this game was a must win, as are all of their other matches.
“We have to keep picking up three points in these conference games. We knew that this team was bigger physically than we are and that’s always a challenge for us but really our concentration was on not giving the ball away at the back and playing it quicker through the midfield and up front,” Gibson said.
In the 25th minute, Emerson made the first dent in the game. Alexandra Levin sent a corner kick into the box and Tayllar Righini headed it home in the bottom left corner of the goal jumping to a 1-0 lead.
With 14:56 left in the first half, the Pride tied it up from a corner of their own. Elizabeth Monsen sent a ball to the near post, finding the feet of senior Jessica Miller, who shoots the ball, netting her third goal of the season.
Just five minutes into the second half, forward Krissy Cicalis put the Pride out in front 2-1. Senior Nicole Fowler won a ball in the midfield and played it up the left side before finding Cicalis making her run through the heart of the Emerson defense with an over-the-top through ball. The senior striker finished the play with a shot past goalkeeper Melanie Escobar from just outside the 18-yard box, marking her fifth goal of the season.
In the closing minutes, Mikaela Coady secured the Springfield win with an insurance goal. Coady received the ball at midfield, dribbled her way to the top of the box and ripped a shot across her body right by Escobar.
The Pride dominated this game outshooting the Lions 19-2 and held a 9-4 edge in corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Ciara Boucher did not register a save in this contest while Escobar came up with eight for the Lions.
On Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. , Springfield will host Mount Holyoke in a NEWMAC matchup at Brock-Affleck Field.
“We need to keep putting our chances away, keep moving the ball quickly and being creative like we have been,” Gibson said.