BOSTON, MA - Emmanuel College (12-5-1, 9-2-1 GNAC) defeated Saint Joseph's (9-5-2, 8-1-2), 4-3, in GNAC women's soccer action on Saturday afternoon. Jessica Needham '11 (East Bridgewater, MA) tallied a goal and an assist in the loss, which was the Monks' first in conference play this fall.

Emmanuel's senior day celebration was quickly stifled by Saint Joseph's, as freshman forward Jennifer Keaney (Scituate, MA) scored a goal just nine seconds into the game. Needham picked up an assist on the goal, which came off an unexpected shot by Keaney. The 1-0 lead stood for 32 minutes.

In the 33^rd minute the hosts retaliated with a marker from Melanie Hoffman '12 (Topsham, ME), with the assist going to Amber Di Nucci '11 (Assonet, MA). Hoffman scored again 12 minutes later to gain a 2-1 lead going into intermission. MacKenzie Peltier '10 (Webster, MA) was credited with an assist on the go-ahead goal.

The Monks forged the game's second tie six minutes into the second half when Needham netted her team-leading ninth goal of the year off a set up from Anna Willis '10 (Gorham, ME). The Saints answered just three minutes later, however, when Kate McKenna '10 (Holyoke, MA) scored her 19^th goal of the season to put her team up, 3-2. Di Nucci dealt her second assist of the game, and 16^th of the fall, on the play.

Emmanuel freshman Elizabeth Blasser (Pembroke, MA) recorded what would be the game-winning goal in the 67^th minute off a Brittany Ridge '13 (Portland, ME) pass.

Mikayla Call '11 (Portland, ME/McAuley) scored the game's final goal, unassisted, in the 72^nd minute of play.

Emmanuel keeper Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, NY) made two stops, while SJC goaltender Katye Mayo '10 (Fairfield, ME) tallied three saves.

Emmanuel remains as the only team Saint Joseph's has not defeated through nearly three seasons of GNAC play. The Saints topped the Royal Blue, 3-2 in overtime, to end the Monks bid for a perfect season in 2007. St. Joe's started out 11-0 that year.

Saint Joseph's will celebrate Senior Day when the Monks play host to Rivier (4-10-2, 1-8-2 GNAC) on Sunday at 2:00 PM. Emmanuel is off until next Sunday, when the GNAC Tournament is scheduled to begin with the quarterfinal round (times TBD).

St. Joseph's (Me.) (9-5-2, 8-1-2 GNAC) vs. Emmanuel College (12-5-1, 9-2-1 GNAC)
Date: Oct 24, 2009  Attendance: 200
Weather: breezy and humid

Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
St. Joseph's (Me.)..  1  2 -  3
Emmanuel College....  2  2 -  4

SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.   0:09 SJMWS Jennifer Keaney (Jessica Needham)
  2.  32:01 EMM Melanie Hoffman (4) (Amber Di Nucci)
  3.  43:19 EMM Melanie Hoffman (5) (MacKenzie Peltier)
  4.  50:26 SJMWS Jessica Needham (Anna Willis)
  5.  53:22 EMM Kate McKenna (19) (Amber Di Nucci)
  6.  66:41 EMM Elizabeth Blasser (7) (Brittany Ridge)
  7.  71:27 SJMWS Mikayla Call (unassisted)

Shots: St. Joseph's (Me.) 10, Emmanuel College 12
Saves: St. Joseph's (Me.) 3 (Katye Mayo 3), Emmanuel College 2
(Jessica D'Ottavio 2)