CAMBRIDGE, Mass., October 10, 2006 – Springfield College sophomore forward Nicole Hanewich (Cumberland, R.I.) converted a tremendous individual effort into a goal in the 19th minute (18:33) as the Pride (8-3, 4-1) held on to defeat MIT (8-5, 3-2), 1-0, in a key New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tilt at Steinbrenner Stadium.

The Engineers’ best chance of the match came in the second minute as a heavily-marked Amy Ludlum broke away from the defense and put a solid shot on goal that missed just wide on the far post. Despite additional early pressure, MIT was unable to gain the advantage.

In the 19th minute, Hanewich beat an MIT defender and drove 30 yards down the right side of the pitch before smoking a grounder into the left side of the net for the eventual game-winner. SC asserted control in the last part of the half, testing MIT keeper Kat Vater with four shots on goal in the final two minutes. Vater stopped the Pride attack to leave the Engineers one down heading into the break.

For most of the match, possession appeared even, although SC clearly got the better of the scoring opportunities. The Pride outshot MIT, 11-3, in the second half and finished with a 20-7 edge for the afternoon. Sophomore Sue Jenney (Agawam, Mass.) made three saves en route to the clean sheet, while Vater stopped a season-high 12 shots. MIT applied significant pressure late in the match, but was unable to net any goals as the Cardinal and Gray endured its second shutout loss in conference play.

SC now sits alone in second place in the NEWMAC standings with a 4-1 league mark. Wheaton College is first with a still-perfect conference record of 5-0. The Pride will next host Smith College during SC's Homecoming Weekend Saturday afternoon, October 14th, in a 3:00 p.m. start at Brock-Affleck Field.

published: 10/11/2006