September 30, 2007
Schelhorn, Eagles Get Into Win Column
 

Rachel Schelhorn heads upfield during first half action against Mitchell Sunday. Schelhorn's two late second half goals, including the game winner with 9:17 to play, propelled the Eagles to their first win of the season (Gil Talbot photo).

Nashua – Sophomore Rachel Schelhorn (Lebanon, Conn.) erupted for her first two goals of the season just at the right time Sunday.

Schelhorn knocked in two go-ahead scores in the final 20 minutes including the eventual game winner with 9:17 to play in regulation, as the Daniel Webster women’s soccer team edged Mitchell, 3-2 in a matchup of future New England Collegiate Conference rivals at Eagle Field.

The win ended a tough winless start to the season for the Eagles, who got into the ‘W’ column for the first time as they moved to 1-7 overall. The loss knocked the Pequots to 2-7-1 overall. The two programs join the fledgling NECC in 2008.

The match saw a game within a game for offense enthusiasts, as the teams combined for all five goals over the final 38 minutes, although both clubs had a number of opportunities over the first 52.

DWC peppered Pequot keeper Jenna Wilder (Waterbury, Vt.) with four qualify shots in the first half and played ball control through much of the opening stanza. Wilder sparkled, making a fistful of tight saves from within 15 yards as the Eagles held a 7-5 shots advantage at the break. The Pequots countered with three quality opportunities in the opening half, but Eagle keeper Kendra Devore kept the game scoreless with two stops from in close.

In the second, Eagle newcomer Kristy Novotny (Easthampton, Mass.) finally opened the gates with her first of the season at the 52:16 mark, ending the Eagles’ four game scoreless streak.

Mitchell’s Megan Rowley (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) followed 11:31 later, popping home a 10 yarder past Devore to tie it, but Schelhorn went to work 10 minutes later, knocking home her own rebound from in tight off a play originating from the foot of Erin Hurd (Centerville, Mass.), who was credited with the assist.

Mitchell again tied it when Paige Enhot (W. Hartford, Conn.) drew a penalty kick off an Eagle foul, promptly burying the shot at the 77:14 mark for the second tie of the day.

But Schelhorn answered again just 2:29 later, this time taking a long Stephanie Zubricki (Brookline, N.H.) pass in close, drawing a rebound and following through to give the Eagles their final lead of the afternoon.

Devore finished the day with five saves, while Wilder made six stops.

The Eagles return to action Wednesday as they host Simmons in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at 3:30 p.m. Mitchell travels to St. Joseph’s (Ct.) Wednesday for a 4:00 p.m. start.