AMCATS OUTDUEL WILDCATS, 3-1

PAXTON, Mass. (09.04.12) – The Anna Maria College women's soccer team snapped a 40-game winless streak with a gutsy 3-1 victory over visiting Wheelock College tonight at AMCAT Field. With the win the AMCATS improve to 1-1 while Wheelock starts the season at 0-1.

Senior Tabitha Ruggeri (Palmer, Mass.) led all scorers with two goals, while Jordyn Beaulieu (Milford, Mass.) added a single tally. Teammates Erica Neugarten (Natick, Mass.) and Teresa Ryan (Shrewsbury, Mass.) each added helpers. Sophomore Emma Petner (Hilo, Hawaii) scored Wheelock's first goal of the season.

The two teams battled hard through the first 26 minutes of play before senior Tabitha Ruggeri scored Anna Maria's first goal of the season. Ruggeri score the unassisted goal after breaking free down the left wing and going top shelf on the Wildcats netminder. At the start of the second half, Wheelock stormed back to tie the game at 1-1, with sophomore Emma Petner scoring after a scramble in front of the AMCAT net. 

The game remained tied until the 60 minute mark, when AMCAT freshmen Teresa Ryan fed Ruggeri with a beautiful cross pass, and she found the back of the net for her second goal of the game, giving the AMCATS a 2-1 lead.  With 7 minutes remaining, sophomore Jordyn Beaulieu received a well-placed ball from senior Erica Neugarten, and netted her first goal of the season to give the AMCATS the 3-1 lead. 

Wheelock College attempted to chip away at the AMCAT lead, but freshman Sarah Benvenuti (Southbridge, Mass.) held strong, turning in a stellar defensive effort, saved a total of 6 shots on goal. 

The AMCATS return to action on Saturday, visiting Lasell College in a GNAC matchup starting at 1:00 PM.