The Mount Ida College women’s soccer captured their first victory of 2010 in their season opener at non-conference Bay Path College winning 3-0 on a steamy hot day in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The Mustangs improve to 1-0 for the year while the Wildcats fall to 0-1.
The game started off very slow with both teams remaining scoreless as the sun pounded the players with 95 degree weather and humidity. The first half saw two referee scheduled time-outs for water breaks to try and cool off the players. Bay Path took control of the first 15 minutes keeping the ball on the Mustangs half of the field until the Mustangs stepped on the gas.
Coming off an extended 15 minute half-time break, Mount Ida began to take advantage of their rest time and managed to finally net the eventual game winner in the 47th minute. Sophomore forward Heather Harrington (Bedford, NH/Manchester West) found the back of the net off a perfectly punted corner kick by junior teammate Tracy Koukol (North Attleboro, MA/North Attleboro).
Ten minutes later Harrington again sliced a great shot into an open left side of the net off a perfectly played cross by senior forward Becky Tisbert (Cambridge, VT/Lamoille Union). The trifecta came at 61:30 on the clock when Tisbert again made a beautiful cross inside the box to senior midfielder Michelle Alessi (Salem, MA/Bishop Fenwick). Alessi sailed a lob shot over Bay Path’s freshman keeper Ashley Ralston (Chester, Vt.).
Mount Ida senior goalie Meghan Begins (Jericho, VT/Jericho) had one save for the Mustangs while Ralston had six saves for Bay Path. St. Joseph had 23 shots on ten shots on goal.
The Mustangs will play the front end of a doubleheader with the men’s team Sunday afternoon starting at 12:00 noon.