Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – Freshman Rachel Boohar made a career high 13 saves, but a goal in each half gave Springfield the 2-0 victory over Coast Guard in both teams New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener.
The loss is only the Bear second of the season as they fall to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Springfield improves to 4-1-1 on the year and 1-0 in NEWMAC competition.
Boohar was tested early and often throughout the game as a shot from sophomore Monique Marcelino sent a low, driven shot towards goal. Boohar made the save and held the ball as Springfield was crashing in on goal.
Senior Nicole Fowler used the rarely seen flip throw-in to send an arching ball to the center of the box. Junior Elizabeth Monsen sent a point blank header on goal but a sprawling Boohar knocked down the shot and was cleared out of danger by the Coast Guard defense.
Midway through the half senior Jessica Miller got loose down the right side and found senior Krissy Cicalis in the Bears penalty area. Cicalis took a touch and put a shot on goal but was once again stone walled by Boohar.
Springfield continued to test the Coast Guard defense as sophomore Mikaela Coady sent a cross into the box from the left side. Freshman Amanda Wright met the cross and sent it back to the near post with a header. Boohar adjusted to the change of direction, and made a diving saving to keep the game scoreless.
It looked as if both teams would go into the half scoreless, but with eight second left in the period, sophomore Kim Quiles beat her defender and sent a shot to the far post past a diving Boohar for her fourth of the year and gave the Pride a 1-0 advantage at the half.
In the second half Springfield would manage one more goal in the 61st minute Cicalis ran down a cross on the right side of the Bears penalty box and sent a shot over a leaping Boohar and into the back of the net for Cicalis's second of the year as the game finished 2-0.
The second half was much more defensive as much of the game was played in the midfield. Boohar continued to hold strong as she made four more saves in the final period.
"We came out flat in the first half and it really hurt us," said head coach Susan Grant. "We stepped up our intensity and grit in the second half, which was nice to see. We need that presence from the start, especially against a talented squad like Springfield."
Boohar's season record dropped to 4-2 but her 13 saves on the day is the most since the 2013 season when Devin Fellman made 13 saves in a 3-0 loss to Saint Joeseph (Conn.). Fellman has the school record for saves in as single game with 20 twice in the 2013 season.
Sophomore Ciara Boucher 4-1-1 on the season facing two shots, one on goal, making one save.
Coast Guard returns to action this Tuesday, September 22nd as they travel across the street to play nonconference rival, Conn. College. Kickoff is 4:00 pm.
