The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team improved to 2-1 in the Northeast Conference, Friday, Oct. 10, downing visiting Wagner College, 3-0, in Teaneck, NJ. Junior forward Lora Lehr (Rosemere, Quebec/Villa Maria) (Rosemere, Quebec) put forth a five-point performance, as the Knights improved to 5-7 overall.
In the 16th minute, junior midfielder Jennifer Arceneaux (/Ralston Valley) (Arvada, CO) struck for the game-winner, as her run left her unmarked on the far post. Lehr originated the play with a burst down the right side, followed by a square ball to senior defender Amanda Wheeler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) (Marlton, NJ) in the midfield. Wheeler took a touch then lofted a ball into the right corner, where Lehr skidded a cross through the goal mouth, punctuated by Arceneaux capitalizing upper right.
“It was important for us to bounce back after last weekend,” Head Coach Renee Montana said. “The team applied what we worked on all week and showed they learned a lesson following a tough loss at Monmouth [University.]”
Four minutes later, Lehr created a two-goal cushion, following a long clearance by the Seahawks' (2-7-3 overall, 0-2-0 NEC) back line. Freshman defender Amy Flanagan (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) (Freehold, NJ) gained control and sent a ball back up the middle to Lehr. After beating her defender, Lehr took her possession right and finished lower left while inside the box.
Only 48 seconds following the tap to open the final 45 minutes, Lehr registered her fourth goal of the year. The insurance marker was created by a string of passes between sophomore defender Lisa-Marie Curti (Richmond Hill, Ontario/St. Theresa of Lisieux) (Richmond Hill, Ontario) and Wheeler. Lehr deposited her second goal of the afternoon just underneath the crossbar.
Meanwhile, the Knights' defense did not yield a shot during the second stanza.
“We were a little shaky in the first half,” Montana said. “But we fixed things in the second half and really stabilized our play.”
Senior goalkeeper Rachel Derrico (/Canon McMillan) (Canonsburg, PA) notched her third shutout of the season ? her fourth win ? working 90 minutes, and making one save. Conversely, senior goalkeeper Leslie Reed (Indian Harbour Beach, FL) recorded six saves in the loss.
Wagner sophomore forward Brianna Vassallo (Saddle Brook, NJ) fired a team-best three shots.
Fairleigh Dickinson hosts Long Island University at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12 at University Field.
