Brittany Tartara's first-half score was the eventual winner for the Skyhawks. (PHOTO BY Richard Orr)

Lammert, Tartara each score first goals of the season to lead Skyhawks

EASTON, Mass. (October 13, 2010) – Stonehill College scored a pair of first-half goals and held off a late rally by the University of Bridgeport to capture a 2-1 victory in non-conference women’s soccer action on Wednesday.

Junior Catherine Lammert (Glenburn, Maine/John Bapst) and senior Brittany Tartara (Bardonia, N.Y./Albertus Magnus) scored in the first half to give the Skyhawks an early lead, and freshman Amy Wheaton (Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth) made four saves in the Stonehill net. Bridgeport got a late goal from sophomore Asia Pulse (New Haven, Conn./Lauralton Hall) and nine saves from junior Julia Colley (Harlow, England/Barking Abbey).

The Skyhawks claimed the early advantage in the third minute on their first shot of the day. Senior Julia Swierzowski (Albany, N.Y./Albany) dished the ball from the left side out to Lammert beyond the top of the box, and Lammert lofted a high shot past Colley’s reach for her first goal of the season.

Tartara added her first of the year in the 25th minute to put Stonehill up 2-0. Freshman Nicole Pacapelli (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) served a corner kick to sophomore Sara Nagle (Manchester, Conn./Manchester) at the right post, and when Nagle’s shot was knocked away by Colley, Tartara put back the rebound. The score wrapped up a strong shooting half for the Skyhawks, who put all eight of their first-half shots on target.

Colley was up to the task for the Purple Knights in the second half, though, turning away three attempts even as Stonehill kept the action largely in the Bridgeport end and took another eight shots. Wheaton made two second-half saves at the other end to maintain the Stonehill advantage.

The Purple Knights connected in the 85th minute to avoid the shutout, as Pulse collected a cross from junior Marie Pettersson (Amal, Sweden/Katrinelunds) and slipped a shot past Wheaton, but the Skyhawk defense kept Bridgeport in check over the final five minutes to secure the win.

Stonehill (8-5-1, 6-4-1 NE-10) is back at home on Saturday to take on the University of New Haven at 2 p.m. Bridgeport (7-3-1, 2-1-1 ECC) hosts Molloy College on Sunday at 6 p.m.