HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's soccer team dropped its home finale to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Emmanuel College, falling 5-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Emmanuel tested the Pilgrims early, firing multiple shots on frame, but sophomore goalkeeper Estrella Michaelidis (Dedham, Mass.) and the NEC defense held firm. NEC created a scoring chance of its own when junior Julianna Barrett (Orange, Conn.) put a shot on target, but it was saved by Saints keeper Teigan Robie. Abby Chambers eventually broke the deadlock, splitting the 'Grims defense to take the 1-0. The Saints continued to press, looking to double their advantage before halftime, but their attempts missed wide.
Emmanuel kept up the pressure in the second half, forcing Michaelidis to make several key saves early. The Saints offense surged, as the visitors netted back-to-back goals to extend their lead to 3-0 before adding a fourth shortly after. Freshman Grace Houde (New Boston, N.H.) nearly put the Pilgrims on the board with a shot, but Robie made the stop. Emmanuel pushed their lead to 5-0 with a strike in the 76th minute. NEC responded seconds later, with freshman Stella-Blue Kraus (East Greenwich, R.I.) burying her second goal of the season off a feed from Houde to get the 'Grims on the board. Emmanuel generated a few late chances, but Michaelidis and the defense kept the Saints from adding more, as the visitors secured the 5-1 victory.
Michaelidis finished with 10 saves while Kraus netted the Pilgrims lone goal.
The Pilgrims conclude their regular season on Wednesday, October 28th, traveling to Standish, Maine, to face Saint Joseph's College of Maine at 6:00 PM.
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