Women's Soccer Soars to 2-1 Victory over Norwich in Season Finale

PAXTON, Mass.—Sophomore Ashley Bottis (Rutland, Mass.) became the first player in over a decade to net over 10 goals in a season as she led the Anna Maria College women's soccer team to 2-1 win over the visiting Cadets of Norwich University on Tuesday afternoon.

THE SERIES

With the win, Anna Maria claims their first victory in the five-year series with Norwich. The two teams tied in 2014, bringing the series record to 3-1-1 in favor of the Cadets.  

BOTTIS RECORD

With her two goals in today's game, Bottis brings her season goals total to 11 goals. The last person to surpass the 10-goal threshold in a single season was Kelly Downey, who compiled 16 goals during the 2004 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The AMCATS recovered from an early 1-0 deficit by scoring in the 22^nd and 50^th minutes to rally for the 2-1 victory. Bottis netted both goals, settling a pass from Kaleigh Price (Peabody, Mass.) and splitting two defenders for an open look on net for the first goal. On the second goal, Bottis passed to Emily Gorrivan (Windham, Maine), who fed it back to Bottis for the give-and-go goal.

The Cadets edged the AMCATS in shots, 21-18, and had two solid chances to even the score late in the second half, as Kristen Dukette (Northfield, Vt.) had two wide-open looks on net, one from each side of the field, which she shot right at AMCAT netminder Kate Kneeland (Windham, Maine).

NORWICH GOAL

Norwich scored in the 10^th minute of the game, as Clara Leister (Hartland, Vt.) scored on the left side following a leading pass from Jordan Kacur (Red Creek, N.Y.).

GOALKEEPERS

Kneeland made eight saves in the win for Anna Maria, while Norwich keeper Holly Lutz (Hamburg, N.J.) tallied five saves.

SENIOR SALUTE

Prior to today's kickoff, the AMCATS recognized two seniors playing in their final games, midfielders Alexandra Begun (Shirley, Mass.) and Teresa Ryan (Shrewsbury, Mass.) Both seniors recorded a shot in today's victory.

2015 COMES TO A CLOSE

Today's game marked the season finale for both teams, as neither qualified for the GNAC postseason. Anna Maria finishes with a 4-12-1 record and a 2-8-1 record in league play, while Norwich rounds out the season at 3-12-1 overall and 1-9-1 in league action.