NEW LONDON, Conn — 

Two first-time goal scorers propelled the Coast Guard Academy women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over DeSales University on Saturday.

The win gives Coast Guard their first victory in 2025 as they improve to 1-3. DeSales remains winless, moving to 0-3.

Newcomer in the midfield Ellie Millner (Woodbridge, Va.) gave the Bears the lead in the 25th minute with some help from Anabelle Pezzullo (Ashaway, R.I.). Pezzullo dribbled up the right side of the pitch before sending a cross into the box, where Millner met it with her left foot to score the opening goal. It was the first assist of the junior Pezzullo's career.

Coast Guard added another in the 40th minute, this time on a partnership between team captain Teal Wasson (Kahuku, Hawai'i) and fellow defender Mallory Sultan (Ashburn, Va.). Like the first goal of the game, Wasson sent a great cross from the right side into DeSales' box, and Sultan was there to volley it in. It was the first time in the points column this season for Wasson and her first assist since her 2022 freshman year.

Neither team scored in the second half, with Bulldogs unable to get a shot off against a tight Bears defense. Coast Guard held a 9-1 advantage in shots and a 6-1 tilt on corner kicks, while DeSales was called for nine fouls to the Bears seven. Julia Little (Pensacola, Fla.) recorded no saves in likely the easiest shutout of her career, while Bulldogs goalies Campbell Pacheco and Sage Santa Cruz combined for three while splitting time in net.

Bears women's soccer will be at Nitchman again on Wednesday, September 10th, for their next contest as hosts of down-the-street rivals Connecticut College, with kick-off set for 6 p.m. The Camels moved to 1-1 on the season following their 0-3 loss to NESCAC foes #6 Amherst College, with the game being the conference opener on both teams' schedules. Ella Pottle (Epping, N.H.) scored Coast Guard's lone goal in last season's 1-4 loss at Conn.